On the recordSeptember 20, 2012
Additionally, at a recent Commerce Committee hearing on my bill, Secretary LaHood was asked if any possible action of implementation could ``include the U.S. government paying EU authorities directly or compensating the operators for any fines incurred for non-compliance with EU ETS.'' He responded, ``We have absolutely no intention of asking the U.S. taxpayer to pay any ETS fines incurred for non-compliance with EU ETS, directly or indirectly.'' I appreciate Senator Cardin and Lautenberg for coming forward and working with me to clarify this point, and I thank them both for releasing their hold. I am happy that we have been able to come to a bipartisan agreement on my bill and look forward to final passage today in the Senate and hopefully soon by the House of Representatives so we can send a clear message to the EU that ETS is arbitrary, unfair, and a clear violation of international law.
