Dec. 8, 2010Moderate Republican chairs energy panel

Congressman Fred Upton was chosen by House Republicans to chair the energy committee, beating out the more conservative Joe Barton.

Although Upton recognizes manmade climate change, he voted against the Waxman-Markey cap-and-trade bill and has vowed to oppose the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) authority to regulate greenhouse gases (GHGs).Starting in January, the EPA will begin issuing permits to heavy emitters to make sure they are using the best available control technologies (Bact).Although it is expected for Republicans to push legislation removing this authority, President Obama has stated he would veto any such bill.