Well – not yet – but……….
As of the past week or so several Coal State members of Congress have introduced legislation that would prevent the EPA from moving forward with limits on emissions – which it currently has the legal right to do under The Clean Air Act.
According to Democratic Congressman from Virgina Rick Boucher “EPA regulation of greenhouse gases would be the worst outcome for the coal industry and coal-related jobs,” (YES – that is the point!)
Who ever said that bipartisanship in Washington DC was dead – should get a load of this project – Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Senate Commerce Chairman Jay Rockefeller (Democrat) of West Virginia – in total over 40 members of the Senate who so far appear to be jumping on board this effort to gut EPA and save King Coal.
A recent article Coal-State Dems Unveil Bills Stalling EPA Emission Curbs from The New York Times covers the matter well.
Presidential Vetoes – In the United States a President can Veto (meaning “ I forbid”!) a piece of legislation. If the President should veto a bill the Congress still has the opportunity to pass then bill into law with two thirds vote. I would hope that President Obama – with current commanding majorities in the House and Senate would not see his veto over ridden – especially on a topic that is or was among his top priorities upon entering office. All modern Presidents have used their Veto power (including President Obama – once to date…)
Thus far this so called bill is not near the Presidents desk – but if it should move there – we must demand that President Obama be clear – he has the power to Veto and he will use it. The congress of the United States has absolutely dropped the ball on climate legislation. We have a President who is willing to work within the framework of the Executive Branch to move toward a better world, he must be clear that it his intention to do so – with or without the help of the members of the Coal lobby.
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