Fri, Dec 09, 2011
Similar To Legislation Passed Last Month By The U.S. House
A bill introduced in the United States Senate on Wednesday
would prohibit U.S. aircraft operators from participating in the
European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS). The bill was
introduced by Senator John Thune (R-SD), ranking member of the
Commerce Committee's Aviation Operations, Safety and Security
Subcommittee. The "European Union Emissions Trading Scheme
Prohibition Act of 2011" would prevent the European Union (E.U.)
from adding a tax on flights traveling through U.S. airspace.
Starting on January 1, 2012, all international flights operating to
and from the E.U. will be included in the E.U. Emissions Trading
System, including flights between the U.S. and the E.U.
Thune's legislation would enable the U.S. Department of
Transportation to take necessary action to ensure America's
aviation operators are not penalized by any tax unilaterally
imposed by the E.U. "The idea that the European Union has the right
to tax American air passengers and carriers flies in the face of
our country's sovereignty," said Thune (pictured). "I reject this
proposed European tax and will work with my colleagues in Congress
and countless concerned stakeholders to block this tax."
A leading airline association estimates this European tax would
cost U.S. airlines and passengers more than $3.1 billion between
2012 and 2020, which could otherwise be used for the creation of
nearly 40,000 U.S. airline jobs. The European Union Emissions
Trading Scheme Prohibition Act is supported by numerous airline
stakeholders, including Airlines for America, Air Line Pilots
Association, American Society of Travel Agents, Cargo Airline
Association, General Aviation Manufacturers Association,
International Air Transport Association, Interactive Travel
Services Association, National Air Carrier Association, Regional
Airline Association, and the U.S. Travel Association.
Similar legislation was introduced in the House of Representatives
by Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman John Mica
(R-FL) and passed with overwhelming bipartisan support on October
24, 2011.
Airlines for America (A4A) issued a statement strongly
supporting Thune's legislation. "We commend Senator Thune for his
leadership in joining the Administration and his colleagues in the
House of Representatives in opposing the application of the EU ETS
to U.S. airlines, as it is both illegal and bad policy. Subjecting
airlines to the EU's unilateral system will be counterproductive to
helping the environment, result in the loss of U.S. jobs, and
hamper airlines' ability to invest in new aircraft and continue
their extensive efforts to reduce their environmental impact," said
A4A President and CEO Nicholas E. Calio.
The Senate bill comes less than a week after President Obama
told EU officials that that he opposes the EU scheme. The
congressional action also follows the ICAO Council adoption last
month of a declaration opposing the unilateral application of the
EU ETS on international aviation and urging continued collaborative
action on the global sectoral approach. "There is no question that
this country and the rest of the world are united against the EU's
unilateral and counterproductive scheme," Calio said.
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