Murkowski Amendment Goes Bye-bye… for Now
Senate abandons Alaskan senator's attempt to constrain EPA authority
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Just as world leaders convened in New York earlier this week for the U.N. Climate Conference, Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) was introducing an amendment to an appropriations bill that would have hogtied EPA’s ability to regulate carbon pollution from power plants and other large industrial polluters.
Fortunately, the Senate just decided not to vote on Senator Murkowski’s amendment.
Some major dominoes still have to fall before big carbon polluters like power plants are regulated under the Clean Air Act, but the jettisoning of Murkowski’s amendment clears the way for EPA to continue its work in that direction.
Here’s a thanks to the 12,000 Earthjustice supporters who earlier this week urged their senators to reject Murkowski’s amendment and instead tackle climate change and carbon polluters head on.
Sam Edmondson was a campaign manager on air toxics issues from 2010 until 2012. He helped organize the first 50 States United for Healthy Air event. His desire to work at an environmental organization came from the belief that if we don't do something to change our unsustainable ways, we are in big trouble.