Ed Whitfield: “Well, thank you very much. Reclaiming my time, like I said, the purpose of our legislation is to extend it to 5 years…”

During the almost 6 years that I have been chairman of this subcommittee, we've had 40 hearings that have looked at various EPA rules and proposals that affect or will affect the Nation's energy and industrial sectors.

I want clean air. I want clean water. But I don't want an organized attack on the energy-producing sector of America because of, to use Mr. McNerney's term, a political decision to go after hydrocarbons.

EPA is pushing a back door cap-and-trade policy without congressional approval.

There are strong feelings on the issue because many people, and we are speaking for our constituents, believe that EPA is exceeding its legal authority under the direction of a president who is trying to impose his will on climate change…