WASHINGTON, DC, July 31, 2012 — Today’s passage by the United States Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee of the European Union Emission Trading Scheme Prohibition Act (S. 1956) was welcomed by General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) President and CEO Pete Bunce.

Bunce previously testified before the Senate Commerce committee about the negative impact of the ETS scheme, stating, "While there are many objections that can be leveled against the European Union’s Emissions Trading Scheme, the most damning is that it takes resources away from the aviation industry that could best be invested by the industry into research or technologies that improve aircraft efficiency."

In response to today’s action by the Senate, Mr. Bunce added, "Congress has shown leadership by going on the record that ETS is the wrong way to address greenhouse gas emissions from aviation.  Passage of S. 1956 provides the Administration the political support and tools necessary to push the EU to end its unilateral and misguided approach while simultaneously urging the EU to negotiate at ICAO, the proper forum for developing international aviation policy.  We thank Senator Thune, Senator McCaskill, and the members of the committee for their leadership in working to resolve this stalemate."

GAMA has worked closely with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to develop a framework to reduce aviation emissions.  In 2009 GAMA, jointly with the international business aviation operator community, developed a set of carbon reduction commitments. In addition, earlier this month ICAO reached consensus on a metric for CO2 emissions which is a milestone in the process of developing a CO2 emission standard for new aircraft.