Missouri reps weigh in on clean energy act
JEFFERSON CITY — After arguing over whether human activity caused global warming, the state House voted 112-41 Tuesday to ask Congress to oppose legislation designed to reduce carbon emissions.
The measure was the latest in a series of non-binding resolutions dealing with federal matters considered by the General Assembly. Others include opposing national health care reform and balancing the federal budget.
The latest resolution, sponsored by Rep. Doug Funderburk, R-St. Peters, asks Congress to reject the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009, which has passed the House and is pending in the U.S. Senate. The resolution takes aim at the Environmental Protection Agency, which has determined that carbon dioxide emissions and other greenhouse gases threaten the public health.
Funderburk said the result of the EPA’s findings is that other countries could seek reparations from the United States for damages caused by pollution. Funderburk said the science that supported the EPA’s determination was not conclusive. And he said if the clean energy act became law, EPA would become the fourth branch of government.
“This would not be good for Missourians, for farmers and for businesses,” Funderburk added.
Rep. Margo McNeil, D-Florissant, opposed the resolution, saying 90 percent of the world’s scientists agree human beings are contributors to climate change.
“There is great concern among world leaders of the instability that global warming will cause in terms of famine and drought,” McNeil said. “Global warming is a national security concern.”
“It’s only common sense that people are contributing to the problem,” McNeil added.
The resolution the House approved is strictly advisory and has no impact of law.
