Week ahead: Republicans renew fight against Obama climate regs

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will be on the hot seat as Republicans resume their assault on the Obama administration’s climate policy.

At issue are the EPA’s new limits on ozone and carbon from power plants.

The EPA’s controversial ozone standard will be under the microscope Thursday during a hearing before the House Science Committee, where lawmakers will dig into GOP concerns about the science used to promulgate and implement the rule. http://1.usa.gov/1PxeMsl

{mosads}The EPA strengthened the ozone standard earlier this month, lowering the permitted level of air pollution from 75 parts per billion to 70 parts per billion. Business groups say this has the potential to be the most expensive regulation in history.

The EPA’s power plant regulations have also ruffled feathers. The House Energy and Commerce Committee will examine the legal ramifications of the rule during a Thursday hearing.

Republicans are upset these climate rules could stifle the economy and hurt businesses around the country. http://1.usa.gov/1KdvMNc

On Wednesday, the Senate Agriculture Nutrition & Forestry Committee will hold a hearing to discuss how biotechnologies such as genetically modified organisms used in agriculture should be regulated.

“I look forward to hearing from a variety of witnesses about the regulatory process and use of agriculture biotechnology products,” Committee Chairman Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) said in a statement. http://1.usa.gov/1PmAArw

Elsewhere on the Hill, the House Energy & Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade will hold a hearing to discuss ways to improve vehicle and roadway safety. http://1.usa.gov/1ZIKFTm

On Thursday, the House Education and the Workforce Committee will hold a hearing to discuss how to protect American mine workers and review current safety policies. http://1.usa.gov/1NMtWdS

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