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Senate Rejects Move to Block Greenhouse Gas Regulation
The Senate narrowly defeated a motion that would have denied the Environmental Protection Agency the ability to regulate greenhouse gas emissions, the Associated Press reported.
Sen. Lisa Murkowski鈥檚 (R-Alaska) resolution, defeated by a 53-47 voice vote late Thursday, would have denied EPA authority to move ahead with new rules aimed at cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
She said here her intent was to protect the authority of Congress, not the interests of the oil industry, AP reported.
Six Democrats sided with Senate Republicans in attempting to pass the measure.
President Obama said the vote was a reminder of the need to pass energy legislation and the White House is hopeful it can get a broader energy bill this year, AP reported.
A recent congressional study said that greenhouse gas emissions from the U.S. transportation sector rose 27% from 1990 to 2006, while medium and heavy-duty truck emissions increased by 77%.
Those truck fleets that have adopted EPA鈥檚 SmartWay-certified vehicles and trailers are estimated to use 10% to 20% less fuel per truck when compared with conventional vehicles.
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