EPA: Greenhouse Gases Pose Serious Threat to Public Health
Victory
—Announcement unleashes promise of a green economy
Contacts
Sarah Saylor/Raviya Ismail, Earthjustice, (202) 667-4500
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has issued a finding that greenhouse gases endanger public health and welfare. This finding marks significant progress in addressing global warming pollution under the Clean Air Act following years of denial and inaction on this issue by the previous administration.
"Today’s action shows that President Obama takes the threats posed by global warming seriously and is ready to act," said Martin Hayden, vice president of policy and legislation. "The Obama administration has removed a road block in curbing pollution responsible for climate change and signaled a turn toward a clean energy future. We applaud this action, and welcome the President’s leadership to overcome the greatest environmental challenge of our time.
The action is a response to the Supreme Court’s landmark Massachusetts v. EPA decision from 2007. Earthjustice co-argued this case at the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in 2005.
"The Obama administration has reaffirmed that the Clean Air Act gives EPA authority to combat global warming pollution, and this is what we have been fighting for all along," Hayden said.
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