| February 2, 2010 |  |
Bill Blocking EPA Authority to Curb Global Warming Pollution an ‘Attack on Science,’ UCS Says
CHICAGO (February 2, 2010) – The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) today rebuked Reps. Ike Skelton (D-Mo.), Jo Ann Emerson (R-Mo.) and Collin Peterson (D-Minn.) for introducing legislation that would block the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from regulating global warming emissions under the Clean Air Act. Ron Burke, director of UCS's Midwest office, called the bill an "attack on science."
In 2007, the Supreme Court ruled that global warming emissions qualify as an air pollutant under the Clean Air Act and that the EPA can regulate them if it concludes they endanger public health. After evaluating the latest climate science, the EPA issued such an "endangerment finding" last December. Virtually all major scientific organizations around the world supported the EPA decision.
"Rather than allowing the EPA to take the next step to regulate global warming emissions, Representatives Skelton, Emerson and Peterson have introduced legislation declaring that carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping emissions are not air pollutants under the Clean Air Act," said Burke. "That's scientifically indefensible. It's akin to saying tobacco isn't a carcinogen."
Blocking EPA action on global warming likely would obstruct federal emission standards for major stationary polluters, such as coal-fired power plants, and vehicles as well. "This bill could prevent the EPA from finalizing new vehicle standards that would curb tailpipe emissions, save consumers money at the gas pump, and cut our oil dependence," said Burke. Likewise, it would prevent the agency from requiring power plants and other large emitters to install less-polluting technologies.
"This bill would inject Congress into scientific decisions in multiple ways," said Burke. "Besides pretending that global warming emissions are not air pollutants, the bill would force the EPA to ignore key scientific data when determining which renewable energy sources are the cleanest."
The House passed comprehensive energy and climate legislation last June, but the Senate is still considering its own version of the bill. "In the meantime, the EPA must begin regulating emissions under the Clean Air Act," said Burke. "The planet can't wait."
Last year was the fifth warmest year on record, Burke pointed out, despite a relatively cool year in the Midwest, and the 10 years from 2000 to 2009 were the warmest decade on record.
"Representatives Skelton and Emerson should be thinking about protecting their constituents," Burke said. "If this trend continues, Missouri will experience more frequent heat waves that reduce crop yields and stress livestock, more heavy rainfall that causes floods and prevents spring planting, and more widespread pest and weed infestations." (For more information on temperature trends, go to: www.ucsusa.org/global_warming/science_and_impacts/science/global-thermometer-still-climbing.html.)
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The Union of Concerned Scientists puts rigorous, independent science to work to solve our planet's most pressing problems. Joining with citizens across the country, we combine technical analysis and effective advocacy to create innovative, practical solutions for a healthy, safe, and sustainable future.
