Dems join GOP in fight to block EPA climate rules

DINA CAPPIELLO, AP Thursday, March 3, 2011 Link to Inhofe EPW Press Blog Link to Article WASHINGTON -- Two senior Democrats are joining a Republican effort in the House to block the Environmental Protection Agency from reducing the gases blamed for global warming.

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Rep. Nick Rahall (RAY'-hahl) of West Virginia and Rep. Collin Peterson of Minnesota will sponsor a bill drafted by Republicans that bars the EPA from using federal law to control greenhouse gases. The legislation was being introduced Thursday in the House and Senate. Peterson helped the House narrowly pass a bill in June 2009 to limit heat-trapping pollution after making deals to ease the cost for farmers. Rahall, a vocal coal advocate, voted against that climate bill, which failed in the Senate. South Carolina Republican Lindsey Graham, the only Republican to support the Senate climate bill, has also signed on to the bill to block EPA.