Today, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) paved the way for more environmental regulations by declaring that greenhouse gases pose a threat to public health. Refusing to acknowledge concerns about the controversy known as "Climategate," EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson said the finding, "marks the start of a U.S. campaign to tackle greenhouse gas emissions" under the Clean Air Act, and that the scientific evidence surrounding climate change shows greenhouse gases threaten public health. (Would that be the same scientific evidence which has since been deleted?)
Democrats didn't waste any time latching on to the EPA's ruling as an excuse to pile on more reglations:
"It is now clear that if we take our responsibility seriously to protect and defend our people from this threat, the Senate has a duty to act on climate change legislation," Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., said in a statement. "In light of the EPA endangerment finding, the president's appearance in Copenhagen will carry even more weight, because it shows that America is taking this issue very seriously and is moving forward."
This action gives the EPA the authority to regulate greenhouse gases without Congressional approval. Senator John Kerry, lead author of the climate bill in the Senate, said: "The message to Congress is crystal clear: get moving."
The US Supreme Court ruled in 2007 that the EPA had the regulatory authority to regulate greenhouse gases, but under the Bush Administration, the agency took no steps to do so.
Although we have yet to see a press release, Republican AG Rob McKenna is undoubtedly quite pleased with this latest action by the EPA. He and Governor Gregoire lauded the 2007 Supreme Court decision, and joined a lawsuit against the EPA last year over the agency's failure to act. Back in January, 2008, he and a handful of other Attorneys General sent a letter to the EPA objecting to the agency's then-refusal to regulate greenhouse gas emissions. In part, the letter says,
"We once again urge EPA immediately to begin the regulatory process by publishing formal notice of EPA’s conclusion that greenhouse gas emissions from motor vehicles and other sources “cause, or contribute to, air pollution which may reasonably be anticipated to endanger public health or welfare.”
Wow! He sounds just like Barbara Boxer!
The EPA's announcement was clearly timed to help boost President Obama, who is preparing to attend the UN Climate Conference in Copenhagen. However, in timing the release of today's announcement, the EPA probably wasn't counting on the Climategate scandal, which continues to make headlines across America and the world.
In light of the fact that the underlying scientific research upon which global warming theories are based no longer exists (so it cannot be audited), and emails from climate change scientists reveal a "rigged" consensus, The Hammer can't wait to read AG McKenna's press release announcing his glee over the EPA's actions today.
