By Staff
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, R-Mich., of St. Joseph, has again called on Michigan's senators to put politics aside and allow comprehensive energy legislation to be considered in the U.S. Senate.
The House of Representatives June 15 passed the "Energy Policy Act of 2004" (H.R. 4503), comprehensive energy legislation that is identical to the measure the House passed in November on a bipartisan vote of 246-180 that is currently being held up by two votes in the Senate. The "Energy Policy Act" passed the House Tuesday afternoon on a 244-178 vote.
Upton has been working to protect west Michigan from being penalized for pollution generated across Lake Michigan. Upton says his amendment is a logical, common-sense solution that gets to the heart of the matter, requiring the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to conduct a two-year study to assess any difficulties west Michigan might experience in complying with the eight-hour National Ambient Air Quality Standard due to the effect of transported ozone into west Michigan. The provision would spare west Michigan from sanctions and emissions controls, pending the outcome of a demonstration project to address transported pollution from upwind areas such as Milwaukee and Chicago.
On April 15 EPA announced classifications for counties designated as non-attainment. Cass and Muskegon counties were classified as Moderate. Ottawa, Kent, Allegan, Huron, Calhoun, Kalamazoo, Van Buren and Berrien counties were classified as Basic. Upton's provision would roll back the EPA designations and sanctions levied April 15 pending the outcome of the study of transient pollution.
Effective June 15, new industrial plants are now subject to increased emissions restrictions and controls will be increased on federal road dollars.
On Nov. 21, 2003, the Senate 57-40 denied cloture to break a filibuster on the energy bill.