EU's CO2 plan violates U.S. aviation pact-official - Reuters

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

EU's CO2 plan violates U.S. aviation pact-official
Wed Jun 27, 2007 9:02AM EDT

By Jeff Mason

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The United States accused the European
Union on Wednesday of violating a newly signed "open skies"
aviation agreement by proposing to include international airlines
in the EU emissions trading scheme from 2012.

The scheme, aimed at fighting climate change, already applies
to industrial greenhouse gas emissions in Europe. But the Bush
administration has systematically resisted pressure to limit or
trade emissions.

Requiring all flights to and from the EU to hold emissions permits
breaches "numerous bilateral agreements including the one just
signed between the EU and the United States," said Andrew
Steinberg, Assistant Secretary for Aviation and International
Affairs at the U.S. Department of Transport.

-snip-

Steinberg said the pact, along with the 1944 international
aviation accord known as the Chicago Convention, prevented
countries from levying charges on foreign airlines that were
not rendered in exchange for a service, such as landing fees.

-snip-

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSL2776353120070627

[eppur_se_muova]

1. And obviously nothing's changed since 1944, so why change the rules? nt