The “European Union Emissions Trading Scheme Prohibition Act” (click here for text) is a strong response to the European Union's imposition of costly fees on any civil aviation operators landing in or departing from EU airports. Beginning on January 1, 2012, all airlines are forced to participate in the EU’s emissions scheme despite the objections of the United States Government and other nations.

 

The bipartisan bill was introduced by Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman John L. Mica (R-FL), Transportation Committee Ranking Member Nick J. Rahall (D-WV), Aviation Subcommittee Chairman Tom Petri (R-WI), Aviation Subcommittee Ranking Member Jerry Costello (D-IL), and other Members of Congress.  On October 24, 2011, the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly voted to approve the legislation.  Members of the U.S. Senate approved a similar measure on September 22, 2012, and the Transportation Committee will work to ensure a final measure is sent to the President so that U.S. airlines will no longer be subject to this illegal tax while the international aviation community develops an appropriate method to address emissions.

 

The bipartisan House legislation directs the Secretary of Transportation to prohibit U.S. aircraft operators from participating in the EU’s Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). The bill also instructs U.S. officials to negotiate or take any action necessary to ensure U.S. aviation operators are not penalized by any unilaterally imposed EU emissions trading scheme.

 

The United States Government has formally objected to the ETS. Under the scheme, any flights into or out of an EU airport, regardless of how long that flight is in EU airspace, would be subject to the program’s emissions cap and trade requirements. U.S. airlines would be required to pay an emissions tax to the EU Member State to which they most frequently fly.

  

Press Releases and News:

 

August 3, 2012: Mica Calls for Senate Vote on Bill Halting EU Air Tax

March 26, 2012: Subcommittee Leaders to Hold Roundtable Discussion on EU's Emissions Trading Scheme

October 24, 2011: U.S. House Votes to Halt EU Air Tax

October 21, 2011: U.S. Delegation Works to Halt EU Air Tax

September 8, 2011: Committee Approves Slate of Transportation & Infrastructure Measures

July 27, 2011: Committee, Federal Officials, Aviation & Labor Groups United in Opposition to EU Plan to Tax U.S. Air Carriers under Emissions Trading Scheme

July 26, 2011: Hearing to Focus on European Union's Plan to Tax U.S. Air Carriers under Emissions Trading Scheme

July 20, 2011: Bill Prohibits U.S. Airlines Taxes in Illegal European Emissions Scheme

July 19, 2011: Transportation Leaders to Hold Press Conference on EU Emissions Trading Legislation