On the recordJune 27, 2012
I am pleased to support this amendment which would simply prohibit the use of any of the funds provided in the bill from being used to further the implementation of the illegal European Union's Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS). The EU ETS has been a source of great concern of the Aviation Subcommittee, this House, the Administration, and the aviation community. The U.S. is joined in its opposition to the EU ETS by countries around the world. Under the ETS, EU Member States will require international air carriers to pay emissions allowances, and perhaps penalties, for carbon emissions. A major objection is that the Emissions Scheme will apply to the entire length of the flight--including flight outside the European airspace. The EU has no jurisdiction over airspace outside its boundaries and no legal basis to impose this Scheme on our air carriers. The unilateral application of ETS to our carriers in this way without our consent is a violation of international law--including the Chicago Convention and the U.S.-EU Air Transport Agreement. There are other more productive ways to address the issue of carbon emissions, and the U.S. stands ready to work with our world partners through the International Civil Aviation Organization to do so--that is how you resolve global aviation issues. Last year, this House passed H.R. 2954 which would direct the Secretary of Transportation to prohibit U.S. carriers from participating in this illegal Scheme.…
