Regulations and Government
U.S. House of Representatives Stokes Firestorm over Emissions Scheme
The U.S. House of Representatives helped stoke a threatened trade war with Europe, passing legislation October 24 that would prohibit U.S. aircraft operato
Rep. John L. Mica (R-Fla), chairman of the House Transportation Committee
Rep. John L. Mica (R-Fla), chairman of the House Transportation Committee

The U.S. House of Representatives helped stoke a threatened trade war with Europe, passing legislation October 24 that would prohibit U.S. aircraft operators from participating in the European emissions trading scheme (ETS). The quarrelsome chamber exhibited rare unanimity in approving the bipartisan European Union Emissions Trading Scheme Prohibition Act “overwhelmingly” by voice vote.

“This appropriately named EU scheme is an arbitrary and unjust violation of international law that disadvantages U.S. air carriers, threatens U.S. aviation jobs and could close down direct travel from many central and western U.S. airports to Europe,” said Republican Rep. John L. Mica, chairman of the House Transportation Committee and the bill’s chief sponsor.