CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Sen. Jay Rockefeller introduced legislation on Thursday to suspend potential Environmental Protection Agency regulation of greenhouse gases from stationary sources, such as coal-fired power plants, for two years. 

"Today, we took important action to safeguard jobs, the coal industry, and the entire economy as we move toward clean coal technology," said Rockefeller, D-W.Va.

But Sen. Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va., does not plan to cosponsor the legislation.

"I was encouraged by the response last week from EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson to a [Feb. 19] letter that I signed along with other senators that would delay the implementation of any regulation of greenhouse gas emissions into the next year," Byrd said.

"Following up on my previous conversations with her in my office, I take her at her word," Byrd said.

Rockefeller believes Congress needs more time to study and address these issues before passing new legislation.

Two weeks ago, Rockefeller sent a letter to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson challenging the proposed EPA regulation of greenhouse gases.

Jackson immediately agreed to wait until the end of this year to implement the new regulations. But Rockefeller believes even more time is needed for Congress to study the issue.

Byrd stressed the importance of "ongoing negotiations" between federal officials and Congress.

"West Virginia needs to have a seat at the negotiating table. I am continuing to have significant discussions about how to ensure the future of coal as a long-term energy resource," he said. "I am reluctant to give up on talks that might produce benefits for West Virginia's coal interests by seeming to turn away form ongoing negotiations." 

Reps. Nick Rahall and Alan Mollohan, both D-W.Va., and Rick Boucher, D-Va., introduced legislation similar to Rockefeller's bill in the House on Wednesday.

If Rockefeller's bill passes, there would be a two-year delay in setting any new requirements for plants and factories to comply with new emission standards for gases including carbon dioxide and methane.

Rockefeller and other supporters of the bill say the delay also will give Congress time to consider funding more research into using coal more cleanly.

On Dec. 15, when EPA published its final rule about enforcing nee regulations, the agency stated that its "administrator finds that greenhouse gases in the atmosphere may reasonably be anticipated both to endanger public health and to endanger public welfare."

EPA regulates greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act.

Rockefeller said he in concerned about EPA's "unmitigated authority" in regulating greenhouse emissions.

On Thursday, Rockefeller stressed the potential impact tougher regulations might have on facilities ranging "coal-burning power plants to factories to oil refineries and many other types of facilities that collectively employ millions of Americans."

Rockefeller said he previously raised these questions in the Feb. 19 letter to Jackson cosigned by Byrd and Sens. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio; Bob Casey, D-Pa.; Mark Begich, D-Alaska; Carl Levin, D-Mich; Claire McCaskill, D-Mo. and Max Baucus, D-Mont.

Rockefeller said the proposed bill does not postpone any efforts by EPA to impose stricter emissions standards on automobiles, trucks and other vehicles.

Reach Paul J. Nyden at pjny...@wvgazette.com or 304-348-5164.