Senior Republican, after court ruling, revives call to scuttle EPA climate rules

But Mitt Romney, the presumptive GOP White House nominee, similarly wants to remove EPA’s power. A Romney win and GOP gains in the Senate in the fall elections about likely breathe new life into efforts by Upton and other Republicans to roll back EPA’s climate rules.

Upton said Tuesday that the bill would “reassert Congress’ authority to direct public policy and will protect Americans from EPA’s overreach.”

And if legislation is frozen in place for now, the rhetorical battle isn’t. Look for fresh battles when top EPA officials appear before GOP-led House committees later this week.

Gina McCarthy, who is EPA’s top air pollution regulator, will appear before a House Energy and Commerce Committee panel on Friday to discuss climate rules, while EPA’s top official – Administrator Lisa Jackson – will appear Thursday before the House Science, Space and Technology Committee.

Top Democrats cheered the court decision, which leaves intact existing and planned rules to limit emissions from vehicles, power plants and other sources.