As Congress Drags Feet on CO2 Regulations, EPA Moves Forward

November 11, 2009

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The Environmental Protection Agency, as it promised it would do, is moving ahead to regulate carbon dioxide emissions in the absence of Congressional action, Reuters reports.

When the EPA came out with its endangerment finding on CO2 and the Clean Air Act, the Obama Administration signaled to Congress that it should adopt emissions-limiting legislation, in order to keep the EPA from moving ahead with its proposal.

Now, the EPA has sent has its final proposal to the White House, reports the Examiner.

If the White House approves the proposal, the EPA will have the authority to regulate and cut CO2 emissions, in spite of slow action on Congress’ part.

Adoption of some sort of CO2 cut target is seen as a critical step in the forthcoming Copenhagen global climate talks. This end-around by EPA would help show the world that the U.S. means business in cutting emissions.

At least one columnist speculates that if Republicans regain control of Congress, they will be able to derail the EPA’s efforts by using legislative riders to prevent EPA from regulating CO2.

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