A good bill goes to the presidents desk.S.1956.ENR

[smokingman]

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/D?c112:4:./temp/~c112Clwyjl::



S.1956 -- European Union Emissions Trading Scheme Prohibition Act of 2011 (Enrolled Bill [Final as Passed Both House and Senate]

In General- The Secretary of Transportation shall prohibit an operator of a civil aircraft of the United States from participating in the emissions trading scheme unilaterally established by the European Union in EU Directive 2003/87/EC of October 13, 2003, as amended, in any case in which the Secretary determines the prohibition to be, and in a manner that is, in the public interest, taking into account--

• • (1) the impacts on U.S. consumers, U.S. carriers, and U.S. operators;

• • (2) the impacts on the economic, energy, and environmental security of the United States; and

• • (3) the impacts on U.S. foreign relations, including existing international commitments.

 

[RockofStrength]

Forgive my ignorance: what is meant by a "civil aircraft"?

 

[Clay]

ie personal aircraft.

 

[Palarran]

Any aircraft owned and/or operated by any level of government, civilian or military, is considered a public aircraft. All others are civil aircraft. (14 CFR 1.1)

 

[smokingman]

Forgive my ignorance: what is meant by a "civil aircraft"?

Civil aircraft in this case mean all aircraft other than military.That is anything from a Cessna to a 747.It includes private and commercial aircraft.
Military aircraft where already exempted.

 

[RockofStrength]

Wow, lots of knowledgeable people here! Thanks guys!

In that case, why would a ban on a private aircraft's choosing to participate in an emissions scheme be considered a good thing?

 

[Palarran]

IIRC, the EU emissions trading regime is about to clamp down relatively hard on civil aircraft in the near future. This bill gives statutory authorization to the executive to thumb our noses at the Europeans if the penalties hurt American businesses, taking into account the items listed.

 

[IndyDave1776]

IIRC, the EU emissions trading regime is about to clamp down relatively hard on civil aircraft in the near future. This bill gives statutory authorization to the executive to thumb our noses at the Europeans if the penalties hurt American businesses, taking into account the items listed.

This is a good idea with the exception of the fact that I doubt Obama's nose with be the orifice his thumb will be seen heading toward.

 

[smokingman]

Wow, lots of knowledgeable people here! Thanks guys!

In that case, why would a ban on a private aircraft's choosing to participate in an emissions scheme be considered a good thing?

Think of it this way.Should the European Union be able to generate tax revenue from aircraft departing New York based on the miles traveled and fuel burned to arrive in Europe?
That is essentially what this is about.The emission rules are based on distance traveled,and are in fact a tax.An operator of that craft must offset emissions or pay a penalty.IE Either buy carbon credits(tax credits)or pay X amount for the carbon you emit to the European Union.

They have an entirely different carbon credit system than we do,with Germany providing around 80% of the "clean" credits in the EU.

All carbon credit systems are based on one idea,it is not to reduce emissions it is to generate revenue.