EPA Administrator Bans Limits on Greenhouse Gases in Clean Air Act Permits

December 23, 2008

Email this story Print this post Add your comments

Out-going EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson recently issued a memorandum setting an agency-wide policy that prohibits controls on CO2 emissions from being included in air permits, coal-fired power plants and other facilities. Johnson states air permits issued under the Clean Air Act cannot require limits on greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, since there are currently no regulations on greenhouse gases.

The Environmental Law and Climate Change Law Blog wrote that the memorandum overturn the Environmental Appeals Board finding concerning the Deseret Power Electric Cooperative which allowed Region 8 to include limits on greenhouse gases in a Clean Air Act permit.

The blog says several power plants have lined up seeking Clean Air Act permits, and with the memorandum in place, those permits may not include greenhouse gas limits, putting the plants’ permits beyond the reach of the incoming Obama Administration.

Issuing the memorandum now, one month before a new administration takes office, was the Administrator’s choosing, making at the very least seem like he meant to ensure that power plants receive Clean Air Act permits without carbon dioxide limits until the Obama Administration can pass climate change regulations as the Supreme Court requires in Massachusetts v. EPA.

Email this story Print this post Add your comments

Advertisers

Enhance Sustainability. Improve Profitability.

Learn how at the SAP Sustainability Resource Center. >>

Unclear about the EPA's new GHG Rule?

Learn how it could affect your business. >>

EPA mandatory emissions reporting starts Jan 1st

CSA Standards can help your organization get ready for compliance. Find out how. >>

Product Environmental Compliance Best Practices

How to achieve compliance at a significantly lower cost. Download the full report. >>

Join the Discussion

Recent Daily News [ see all ]

11/20/2009
11/19/2009
11/18/2009

Charts [ see all ]

European Paper Industry Cuts CO2 Emissions by 42% since 1990

S. America Takes Most Urgent View of Copenhagen Talks

Nike Tops Annual Climate Action Scores

Oceans May Trap more Carbon than Forests

Jobs

View All Jobs >> Post a Job >>

Comments and Discussions

Trade Association on Trade Group on EPA Chemical Regs: ‘If Everything is a Priority, Then Nothing is a Priority’
"Seriously… that..."

Gary Markowitz on Supermarkets Tackle Emissions Reductions, Fuel Efficiency
"Supermarkets waste over 10 percent of their energy through improper..."

peter in ireland on Ontario May Follow California’s Lead on TV Energy Efficiency
"Governor Schwarzenegger is shooting himself in the foot! 1...."

Environmental Leader on S. America Takes Most Urgent View of Copenhagen Talks
"The survey respondents (the PDF report mentions 4,000 respondents in 38..."

Jake on UPS Trying New Hydraulic Hybrid Trucks
"A point of clarification: the Reuters press release referenced herein reports that 20 UPS will purchase..."

Custom Organic Shirts on S. America Takes Most Urgent View of Copenhagen Talks
"90% of North Americans believe it is urgent to get a global climate..."

peter dublin on California City’s Green Building Ordinance Applies to Commercial Buildings
"Why energy efficiebnt regulation on buildings –..."

Environmental Leader