Global Warming Case Gets Hotter as EPA Employees Petition for Regulations

As the US Supreme Court hears arguments today in the highly-anticipated global warming case (Massachusetts v. EPA), there is much dissent within the EPA, as over half its employees have filed a  petition to regulate greenhouse gas emissions.  The case centers on a Clean Air Act provision that requires the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to regulate air pollutants that "may reasonably be anticipated to endanger public health or welfare." The plaintiffs—a coalition of 12 U.S. states, three cities, one territory and more than a dozen leading environmental groups—argue that greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles, factories and power plants are covered by that provision.

The Bush administration says that greenhouse gas emissions are outside the scope of the EPA (the defendants), claiming that greenhouse gases are not air pollutants and that the EPA has no authority to regulate them.

However, there seems to be a huge discrepancy within the EPA organization, as over half its employees have filed a first-of-its kind petition that sides with the plaintiffs’ argument that greenhouse gas emissions from cars and industries need to be regulated by their organization (read 1 page PDF summary here).  Some high-level points from the EPA's petition include:

• The Bush administration strategy of using voluntary and incentive-based programs to reduce greenhouse gasses is not working nor has the approach been effectively carried out
• EPA has abdicated its enforcement responsibilities by failing to investigate coal-electric plants for technical options to control carbon
• EPA’s scientists and engineers must be able to speak frankly and directly with Congress and the public regarding global warming without fear of reprisal.

Hmm, sounds like the Bush Administration is trying to hush scientists within the EPA as well as NASA about global warming.   

by
Erin Swanson
Eswanson@enviance.com