Congress protects airlines from EU emissions tax Associated Press Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Updated 3:11 p.m., Tuesday, November 13, 2012 The modified Senate bill, which gives the transportation secretary authority to exempt U.S. carriers from the EU Emissions Trading Scheme if it is in the public interest, passed in September, and Monday's voice vote by the House to accept the Senate bill sends it to President Barack Obama for his signature. The EU cap-and-trade program began in 2005 with the capping of carbon dioxide emissions from power plants, refineries, steel mills and other industrial producers. Airlines For America president and CEO Nicholas E.