Reaction to President Obama’s newly announced Climate Action Plan predictably broke along party lines on Capitol Hill, with Democrats generally praising the goals of reducing carbon emissions and adapting to extreme weather and Republicans voicing concerns over potential costs to consumers and businesses.
Among the notable reactions was that of Rep. Lois Capps (D-Calif.), who called it “imperative to help states and localities prepare” for the impacts of climate change. Earlier this year Capps introduced the “Water Infrastructure Resiliency and Sustainability Act” (H.R. 765), an AMWA-backed bill to help local communities adapt their water and wastewater infrastructure to changing hydrological conditions. Capps said last week the measure was a partial inspiration for Obama’s adaptation proposals.
Also supporting the plan was Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Chairman Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), who had previously announced plans to consider emissions-reduction legislation later this month. In a statement, Boxer applauded Obama for “using all of the tools in his toolbox” to respond to climate change.
In contrast, Wyoming Republican Senator John Barrasso slammed Obama’s proposal as a “national energy tax” and suggested the plan could complicate the already-stalled nomination of Gina McCarthy to serve as the next EPA Administrator. Barrasso also promised to offer the President’s plan as an amendment to future Senate legislation in order to provide an “opportunity to have every senator on record” on the proposal.