Monday, March 23, 2009

E.P.A. Proposal Calls Greenhouse Gases a Danger to the Public

From the New York Times' Green Inc. blog:

The Environmental Protection Agency has sent a proposal to the White House that would label carbon dioxide a danger to public welfare — a key precursor to regulating greenhouse gas emissions as pollutants.

The long-awaited finding, sent to the Office of Management and Budget, stems from a 2007 Supreme Court decision in which the agency was found to have the authority to regulate emissions that contribute to global warming.

If finalized, the proposal would permit the agency to begin such regulation — which the Obama administration has signaled is a priority.

“This issue is clearly on a fast track,” said Frank O’Donnell of Clean Air Watch, who welcomed the news. “There’s absolutely no doubt about it because this is cleaning up unfinished business from the prior administration.”>>>MORE