Bill Says Emissions Trading Scheme Has Negative Consequences For U.S. Economy

The NBAA on Thursday praised the bipartisan leadership of the House Transportation Committee for introducing legislation prohibiting U.S. participation in a European-led Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) that would impose new fees on U.S. aircraft flying into and out of the European Union.

House Transportation Committee Chairman John L. Mica (R-7-FL) and Ranking Member Nick J. Rahall (D-3-WV), along with Aviation Subcommittee Chairman Tom Petri (R-6-WI) and Ranking Member Jerry Costello (R-12-IL), led other House lawmakers in introducing the bill, the "European Union Emissions Trading Scheme Prohibition Act of 2011."

"Chairman Mica and Subcommittee Chairman Petri, and Congressmen Rahall and Costello and their colleagues are to be commended for taking strong action to prevent the EU from implementing a plan that will have negative economic consequences for our economy, and for business aviation," said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. "In spite of our industry's decades-long progress in reducing emissions, the costly fees would be levied at a time when our industry is just beginning to recover from a prolonged economic struggle, and the House bill is a welcome response to this reality, and to the importance of aviation in the U.S."

Bolen noted that business aviation has long led the way in promoting advances aimed at mitigate the industry's environmental footprint, including application of new technologies that mean today's general aviation aircraft are cleaner, quieter and more fuel efficient than ever. In addition, the industry has long embraced operational advances that reduce aircraft emissions through efficiencies in aviation system use.

"While the industry will continue working to minimize its carbon footprint, we welcome this strong signal from government leaders that emissions policies, like all aviation policies, should be set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)."

FMI: www.nbaa.org