Congress Passes Bill Banning U.S. Participation in EU-ETS

The House of Representatives passed a bill yesterday that would prohibit U.S.-based aircraft operators from participating in the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (EU-ETS). The House approved a similar bill last year. The new House measure, “The European Union Emissions Trading Scheme Prohibition Act,” was based on a bill sponsored in the Senate by Senators John Thune (R-S.D.) and Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.). The bill now awaits President Obama’s signature. On Monday, the EU said it planned to suspend EU-ETS for international flights to and from Europe for one year.