Senate votes to uphold the integrity of the Clean Air Act, rejects Murkowski's attempt to increase reliance on dirty fuels
Summary:
- In a vote of 47 to 53, the U.S. Senate today struck down S.J. Res 26, Senator Lisa Murkowski's Resolution of Disapproval aimed at preventing the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from regulating greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change.
- According to a 2007 Supreme Court decision, the EPA has the authority under the Clean Air Act to regulate greenhouse gases as a pollutant.
The following is a statement by Bob Irvin, senior vice president of Defenders of Wildlife:
"Today's vote demonstrated that achieving a clean energy future and protecting our wildlife, natural resources and human health are more important than continuing to feed an unhealthy addiction to oil and other fossil fuels.
"Now is the time for this country to transition to a clean energy economy. We must wean ourselves off of dirty fuels that increase the harmful impacts of climate change and are responsible for environmental disasters such as the ongoing crisis in the Gulf.
"The Clean Air Act has successfully protected both human health and wildlife for the past 40 years, and today's vote ensures it can continue to do so."
Learn more about what Defenders is doing to stop climate change.
Contact(s):
Cat Lazaroff, (202) 772-3270, clazaroff@defenders.orgCaitlin Leutwiler, (202) 772-3226, cleutwiler@defenders.org
