Senate Engrossed

State of Arizona Senate Forty-ninth Legislature Second Regular Session 2010

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 1021

 

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

 

requests the congress of the United States to make efforts to restrict the environmental protection agency's regulation of greenhouse gas emissions.

 

 

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

 

Whereas, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), an administrative body, has moved to set policy by regulating greenhouse gases through the Clean Air Act, an action that is an improper method to solve climate and energy supply issues in a fair and effective way; and

Whereas, the EPA's plan to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from new cars and light trucks will trigger the same regulation of greenhouse gas emissions from stationary sources, such as manufacturing facilities, power plants, hospitals, and commercial establishments; and

Whereas, regulating greenhouse gases from stationary sources under the Clean Air Act would be a great hindrance to manufacturing and the economy; and

Whereas, the pending EPA effort would burden progress on two of this nation's top priorities – environmental improvement and economic recovery – by imposing onerous permitting requirements that will significantly delay or even eliminate investments in new energy-efficient technologies; and

Whereas, over 4 million jobs were lost in 2009, and these proposed regulations have the potential to cause even more job losses; and

Whereas, the regulatory requirements of the Clean Air Act will overwhelm state agencies, which are not equipped to handle the estimated six million permitting requests anticipated and which are already struggling in this economic climate; and

Whereas, the issue of greenhouse gas regulation should be deliberated and decided in a legislative body that is made up of elected officials accountable to the people, not a government agency filled with appointed officials like the EPA; and

Whereas, the EPA has illustrated its lack of understanding of Arizona's needs by proposing overreaching regulation on the Navajo Generating Station, without considering the critical role the facility plays in water delivery to Arizona's major population areas; and

Whereas, the EPA's proposed actions have threatened the economic well‑being of the Navajo Nation and Hopi Tribe.

Therefore

Be it resolved by the Senate of the State of Arizona, the House of Representatives concurring:

1.  That the members of this body request that the Congress of the United States make efforts to enact legislation restricting the Environmental Protection Agency's efforts to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from stationary sources through the Clean Air Act until Congress adopts a balanced approach to address climate and energy supply issues without crippling the economy.

2.  That the Secretary of State of the State of Arizona transmit copies of this Resolution to the President of the United States, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives and each Member of Congress from the State of Arizona.