U.S. Bill Would Block EPA Air Grants For Research, Pollution Projects Overseas

摘要

Rep. Ed Whitfield (R-Ky.) introduced legislation March 5 that would block the Environmental Protection Agency from providing Clean Air Act grants to foreign countries. Under Section 103 of the Clean Air Act, EPA is allowed to issue grants to further air pollution researchand fund pollution control projects. The statute does not limit where the funds can be spent. "It is outrageous how EPA has abused its discretion in allocating funds through these grants," Whitfield, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy and Power, said in a statement. "At a time when our economy is struggling and Congress faces difficult spending decisions here at home, we cannot afford to spend millions in taxpayer dollars for socalled environmental projects in foreign countries. As an example, I just can't understand why we would be sending $180,000 to China for coal mining purposes while EPA is doing everything they can here in the United States to prevent coal from being mined and used."