US moves toward climate change rules
By H. Josef Hebert, Associated Press
Friday, 17 April 2009
The US Environmental Protection Agency concluded today that greenhouse
gases linked to climate change "endanger public health and welfare,"
setting the stage for regulating them under federal clean air laws.
The EPA action marks the first step toward imposing limits on pollution
linked to climate change, which would mean tighter rules for cars and
power plants. Agency officials cautioned such regulations are expected
to be part of a lengthy process and not issued anytime soon.
Limits on carbon dioxide and five other greenhouse gases would have
widespread economic and social impact, from requiring better fuel
efficiency for automobiles to limiting emissions from power plants and
industrial sources, changing the way the nation produces energy.
In announcing the proposed finding, EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson said
it "confirms that greenhouse gas pollution is a serious problem now and
for future generations.
prefers that climate change be address by Congress through broad,
economy-wide limits on climate-changing pollution. But the EPA finding
of endangerment prepares for possible regulatory action if Congress
fails to act.
Sen. Barbara Boxer, a Democrat whose Environment and Public Works
Committee is considering climate legislation, said the EPA finding —
stalled by the Bush administration — is long overdue but that "the best
and most flexible way" to deal with the problem is for Congress to take
action on a broader approach.
Friday's action by the EPA triggered a 60-day comment period before the
agency issues a final endangerment ruling.
The agency said in its finding that "in both magnitude and probability,
climate change is an enormous problem" and that carbon dioxide and five
other greenhouse gases "that are responsible for it endanger public
health and welfare within the meaning of the Clean Air Act."
The EPA concluded that the science pointing to man-made pollution as a
cause of global warming is "compelling and overwhelming.
tailpipe emissions from motor vehicles contribute to climate change.
The EPA action was prompted by a Supreme Court ruling two years ago that
said greenhouse gases are pollutants under the Clean Air Act and must be
regulated if found to be a danger to human health or public welfare.
The Bush administration strongly opposed using the Clean Air Act to
address climate change and stalled on producing the so-called
"endangerment finding" demanded by the high court in its April 2007
ruling.
The court case, brought by Massachusetts, focused only on emissions from
automobiles. But it is widely assumed that if the EPA must regulate
emissions from cars and trucks, it will have no choice but to control
identical pollution from power plants and industrial sources.
Congress is considering imposing an economy-wide cap on greenhouse gas
emissions along with giving industry the ability to trade emission
allowances to mitigate costs. Legislation could be considered by the
House before the August congressional recess.
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climate-change-
Friday, 17 April 2009
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