A key House GOP lawmaker is acknowledging that legislative proposals to block or restrict EPA's regulatory authority over greenhouse gases (GHGs) and other pollution face major obstacles in Congress and at the White House, but says the bills do not necessarily need to become law to send a political message and force EPA oversight. Rep. Ed Whitfield (R-KY), chair of the House Energy & Commerce Committee's energy and power panel, also said in a May 23 interview with Inside EPA that agency critics have other legislative options to restrict the agency beyond the stand-alone bills. He noted there have been "informal discussions" between Republicans on the House energy committee and appropriations committee about using EPA's fiscal year 2012 spending bill to block controversial rules.
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