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July 16, 2005

Bad News for Limiting Greenhouse Gases

By: Rowan Wolf

A ruling on July 15, 2005 by the District of Columbia Federal Court of Appeals, supported the Bush administration's EPA policy to not reduce tailpipe emissions. The regulation is being challenged by states, cities, and environmental groups.

"The decision - the most authoritative court ruling on the issue so far - lessens the likelihood that there will be any national programs to control greenhouse gas emissions anytime soon."

The EPA is claiming that the Clean Air Act does not give it authority to regulate emissions. The case was actually initiated in 1999 - before the current administration took office. However, new regulations by the Bush administration make the issue of the agency's ability to regulate emissions new concern.

While the EPA battles against regulating automotive emissions under the Clean Air Act, it does enforce the "Clear Skies" legislation that undermines the controls in the Clean Air legislation it says it has no power over.

Now how can one argue successfully in court that the EPA has no regulatory authority with the Clean Air Act, while at the same time the do have the regulatory power to relax the Clean Air Act? I don't know, but apparently the Federal Appeals Court thinks they do.

Side Note: Ironically, much of the ruling came down to "believing" whether greenhouse gas emissions from automobiles are linked to global warming. Even Bush has now admitted (at the G8 summit) that the science shows such a link.

Posted by Rowan at July 16, 2005 8:26 AM Category: Global Warming

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Comments

But why should Mr. Bush care, it only hastens Armageddon and the end of the world?
Forgive my sarcasm :)

Posted by: Shawna at July 20, 2005 8:19 AM