By H. JOSEF HEBERT , Associated Press
WASHINGTON - The Environmental Protection Agency has concluded that carbon dioxide and five other greenhouse gases are a danger to public health and welfare, taking the first step to regulating pollution linked to climate change, The Associated Press has learned.
Such regulation would have widespread economic and social impact, from requiring more fuel efficient automobiles to limiting carbon dioxide emissions from power plants and industrial sources, changing the way the nation produces energy.
The EPA will announce its proposed finding Friday, triggering a 60-day comment period before issuing a final ruling, said congressional officials who have been briefed by the agency. They spoke on condition of anonymity because an announcement had not yet been made.
The EPA has concluded that the science pointing to man-made pollution as a cause of global warming is "compelling and overwhelming." The blame goes mainly to carbon dioxide from burning fossil fuels.
The six greenhouse gases "pose a threat to public health and welfare," the EPA has determined. It also will say tailpipe emissions from motor vehicles contribute to climate change.
The EPA action was prompted by a Supreme Court ruling two years ago that said greenhouse gases are pollutants under the Clean Air Act and must be regulated if found to be a danger to human health or public welfare.
The Bush administration strongly opposed using the Clean Air Act to address climate change and stalled on producing the so-called "endangerment finding" demanded by the high court in its April 2007 ruling.
The court case, brought by Massachusetts, focused only on emissions from automobiles. But it is widely assumed that if the EPA must regulate emissions from cars and trucks, it will have no choice but to control identical pollution from power plants and industrial sources.
I must say I am not surprised by the EPA's "findings." The answer to the propaganda question had already been dictated by the Obama administration. "We have to show that CO2 is harmful. You guys make something up that arrives at that conclusion. Any methods that arrive at other findings must certainly be flawed and therefore discarded." How is it that we can actually be subjected to this much arrogance, ignorance and stupidity in our government?
"compelling and overwhelming ?"
We just survived one of the coldest winters in recent history.
A trace element in the atmosphere that is needed to sustain plant life is a danger to the public.
It must have taken a team of lawyers to come up with this.
Time for a green tea party.
Elmer Good friend Keemosabi Wasabi Mi Amigo say man remember when I asked if the 31k Bunsen came in poster size? How's that coming along?
I live in the Capital of California - a city which boasts the most highly ornate cathedral to climate change in the country. Of course I am talking about the California EPA building. Notice the three story greenhouse built on the main spire. And yes that's an arboreatum (did I spell that right?) on the lower lever roof. Believe me this picture doesn't do the place justice. Ex Governor Grey Davis spared no expence spending our money to make this the bestest building in the whole damned state. Puts The Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament to shame.
Let me tell you. I hated that. I hate these self righteous SOBs, spending money on a brand new EPA building, a cathedral of unholy extortion, when the state was deep in debt, and the public was subject to periodic rolling power outages. Hated them.
That was long before they started this climate change farce.
Imagine how I feel now.
Make me that poster and I'll camp on that EPA door step waving it in their smug faces all day long, while puffing away on a La Flor Robusto, blowing smoke rings in the face of any of their lot intrepid enough to wag an accusing finger my way.
I guarantee you. I am so there.
Here is that poster.
http://minnesotansforglobalwarming.com/m4gw/2009/04/14/31000Sign.pdf
I might redo it
I like this one too
http://minnesotansforglobalwarming.com/m4gw/2009/04/15/Cap%27nTrade.pdf
Thanks Elmer. Primo work on that Cap'n Trade.
In time for Earth Day!
Excellent.
In third grade, I had to write 25 times:
I WILL NOT PASS GAS IN CLASS.
You're kidding right?
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