EPA proposes regulating airplane greenhouse gas emissions

WASHINGTON, June 10 (UPI) -- The Environmental Protection Agency on Wednesday proposed new regulations limiting the greenhouse gas emissions of airplanes, a move that could be difficult after a House panel voted to cut funding to the agency.

In a notice signed by Administrator Gina McCarthy, the EPA said airplanes' carbon pollution is dangerous to public health and contributes to climate change.

The agency said it is seeking public input in its plan to create regulations limiting emissions from aircraft under the Clean Air Act. Should regulations be adopted, they would impact new aircraft and new aircraft engines.

New regulations are likely to face opposition by airlines, and Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., voiced his disagreement with the proposal on Twitter.

"Just when I thought the EPA couldn't get more ridiculous," he wrote.

The proposal comes as the EPA faces a significant cut to funding. A House panel approved an appropriations bill that, if passed, would cut EPA funding by $718 million, or 9 percent next year.

"Congress must exercise its prerogative to prevent this kind of bureaucratic overreach, and I am proud that we are doing so in this bill," said House Appropriations Committee chairman Rep. Hal Rogers, R-Ky.

Democrats said they wouldn't support the bill, which also cuts funding to the Interior Department.

"We are going backwards and the consequences will be felt in communities all across the country," said Rep. Betty McCollum, D-Minn.