Earth Equity News

Upton Tapped for House Energy Panel Chair. Reuters, 12/7/10. “Representative Fred Upton was chosen by a Republican organizing panel on Dec. 7 to become the next chairman of the House of Representatives' Energy and Commerce Committee, considered one of the most power panels in the U.S. Congress. Pending approval of the full House Republican Conference on Wednesday, Upton of Michigan would head the influential panel that has oversight of energy policy, as well as healthcare and telecommunications. Upton would replace Democratic Chairman Henry Waxman when Republicans take control of the chamber in January from President Barack Obama's Democrats. Shortly after his victory over former committee Chairman Joe Barton, Upton said in a statement: ‘The Obama administration is on notice -- they will not be allowed to regulate what they have been unable to legislate.’ That comment was likely aimed at the Environmental Protection Agency, which in January could move ahead with new regulations forcing large manufacturers to reduce their carbon dioxide pollution emissions.”