WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-WY) questioned an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) official on whether the Obama administration can meet its obligations under the Paris climate agreement if the courts strike down the so-called Clean Power Plan.

Barrasso also asked whether the administration thinks Congress needs to reform the renewable fuel standard (RFS). 

Janet McCabe, acting assistant administrator for the Office of Air and Radiation at the EPA, and Howard Gruenspecht, deputy administrator for the Energy Information Administration, testified at today’s Senate Environment and Public Works Committee hearing.  

On how the EPA plans to meet U.S. obligations under the Paris agreement if the Clean Power Plan is stuck down:

“Ms. McCabe, before I begin my question on the Renewable Fuel Standard, I would just like to turn briefly to the EPA’s so-called Clean Power Plan.

“Earlier this month, the U.S. Supreme Court granted what the Solicitor General described as an ‘extraordinary and unprecedented’ request to stay the EPA’s regulations.

“The Court’s stay is in effect until the litigation over the EPA’s regulations is resolved. 

“So a week later, Todd Stern— who is the administration’s Special Envoy for Climate Change—he was asked whether the United States would still go ahead and sign the Paris climate agreement. 

“Mr. Stern responded by saying: ‘We are sticking to our plan to sign.’ 

“I find the administration’s decision on signing this, the Paris climate deal, to be nothing short of reckless. 

“It’s like signing a loan for a luxury car after you’ve already been laid off, lost your job.

“Sure, it’s possible you will be rehired. But there is a strong likelihood that you’ll be out of work when the bills come due.

 “So, my question to you is if the court does strike down the EPA’s so-called Clean Power Plan, how does the EPA intend to meet the United States’ obligations under the Paris agreement?

Follow up: 

“So you’re saying today to this committee that you can meet, or the United States can meet, the obligations without the Clean Power Plan? 

“So to meet the U.S. obligations, you do not need the clean climate plan? That’s what you’re saying, that’s your testimony? 

“So the EPA’s own lawyer said this was an extraordinary and unprecedented stay request. So I’m having trouble understanding your confidence that the court will uphold the Clean Power Plan. 

“So there’s been a change with the Court with the death of Justice Scalia. But it just seems that the administration is acting recklessly on the hope that who’s elected president, what happens with the Supreme Court nominee, rather than just realizing and admitting that you can’t keep the promises that you made in Paris, that the administration has made in Paris if the Court rules against the Clean Power Plan.  

Follow up: 

“That’s not how you see it. The EPA’s own lawyer, the U.S. solicitor general, called it extraordinary and unprecedented. So it’s not a routine sort of a thing. 

Click here for video of Sen. Barrasso questioning Ms. McCabe on Clean Power Plan/Paris Agreement. 

On the need to fix the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS): 

“Last September, over 50 organizations called on Congress to act and fix the Renewable Fuel Standard. 

“These groups included humanitarian organizations—government watchdog groups—environmental groups—food producers.

“As I read your testimony, I noted that you didn’t call on Congress to fix the renewable fuel standards, even though the humanitarian groups did it, the government watchdog groups did it, environmental groups did it, food producers did it. 

“Is the administration’s position that Congress should ignore these groups and doesn’t really need to fix the renewable fuel standard?

Follow up: 

“So is it the EPA’s position that the concerns from these humanitarian organizations—like Oxfam, Action Aid—have with the RFS, are they misplaced? 

Question to Mr. Gruenspecht on RFS and food prices:

“So Mr. Gruenspecht, with regard to this specific issue, humanitarian groups have argued that the RFS hurts millions of people in poverty in the United States and across the world by driving up food prices. 

“You said that ‘EIA remains actively engaged in matters related to this program.’ 

“Would you be willing to examine the impact that the renewable fuel standard
has had on wholesale food prices? Specifically, prices of corn—soybeans—wheat—dairy—beef—pork—poultry?

“I would like to follow up with you and work with you because I think it would benefit all of us.”

Click here for video of Sen. Barrasso questioning Ms. McCabe and Mr. Gruenspecht on the Renewable Fuel Standard. 

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