President Barack Obama signed into law a measure to stop U.S. participation in a European Union plan to impose an emissions tax on American aircraft operators and the air carriers of other nations.

The National Industrial Transportation League reported that U.S. House of Representatives Republican transportation leaders hailed the action.

“I am pleased that this measure has been signed by the President over suggestions by some environmental groups to veto the bill,” said John Mica (R-FL), Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman. “[It] is a clear signal that the United States will not accept the EU’s ‘go-it-alone’ attempt to impose emissions taxes on other nations for activities far outside the EU’s own borders,” Mica added.

A statement by The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee said the law President Obama signed (The European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) Prohibition Act of 2011) directs the Secretary of Transportation to prohibit U.S. aircraft operators from participating in the Emissions Trading Scheme.

 The FAA, DOT, and other appropriate officials are directed to enter into international negotiations, including agreements to pursue a worldwide approach to address aircraft emissions, and to take appropriate measures under existing authorities to ensure U.S. air carriers are held harmless from any Emissions Trading Scheme unilaterally imposed by the EU.