By The E.P.A. is putting “Protection” back into their name.
From The New York Times:
The Environmental Protection Agency on Friday formally declared carbon dioxide and five other heat-trapping gases to be pollutants that threaten public health and welfare, setting in motion a process that for the first time in the United States will regulate the gases blamed for global warming.
The E.P.A. said the science supporting its so-called endangerment finding was “compelling and overwhelming.” The ruling triggers a 60-day comment period before any proposed regulations governing emissions of greenhouse gases are published.
While we welcome this latest realization from the E.P.A., absent from the announcement are specific targets on implementing the measure or enforcing any new requirements pending a 60-day comment window. Though further emboldened to regulate pollutants more rigorously under the Clean Air Act, the E.P.A. is still awaiting comprehensive legislation from Congress in order to create the rule-making framework that will move us in the direction of a cleaner energy economy. They could also start now by acting swiftly to stop permits for mountain top removal.
The important piece here is that the E.P.A.’s own “rigorous scientific analysis” now reflects the overwhelming scientific consensus on global warming, along with the U.S. Supreme Court, putting us on a path aimed directly at addressing global warming. Today’s climate deniers should take note, and stop spinning themselves into the ground.