[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 50 (Thursday, April 7, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E665]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   ENERGY TAX PREVENTION ACT OF 2011

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                               speech of

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, April 6, 2011

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 910) to 
     amend the Clean Air Act to prohibit the Administrator of the 
     Environmental Protection Agency from promulgating any 
     regulation concerning, taking action relating to, or taking 
     into consideration the emission of a greenhouse gas to 
     address climate change, and for other purposes:

  Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Chair, the bill before us today is bad for 
America's health and reduces progress in our nation's energy 
independence. I oppose this `dirty air act' that would eliminate the 
ability of the EPA to address the very serious public health threats 
from carbon pollution.
  The Clean Air Act requires that if the EPA finds carbon pollution to 
be detrimental to our health, then the EPA must regulate greenhouse gas 
emissions. Despite the U.S. Supreme Court upholding this authority, 
today's legislation would exempt our nation's largest polluters from 
regulation, eliminate public health protections, and push back efforts 
to reduce our dependence on foreign energy resources. By preventing the 
EPA from setting carbon pollution national automobile standards, this 
bill does nothing to reduce consumption and reliance on foreign oil.
  The EPA helps protect our nation's most vulnerable--including 
children, seniors and those suffering from respiratory ailments--by 
guaranteeing the air we breathe is safe and healthy. Dirty air has been 
linked to an increase in asthma rates, especially among young people, 
an increase in emergency room visits and hospitalizations, and an 
increase in heart attacks and strokes. In New York, pediatric asthma 
affects an estimated half million children and an additional estimated 
1.5 million adults 18 and over have asthma, based on 2009 rates.
  All across the country, Americans overwhelmingly support EPA 
protections for the air we breathe and the water we drink. Supporting 
this bill disregards science, ignores public health concerns, and does 
nothing to curb carbon emissions. I urge a no vote.

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