Sunday, March 7, 2010

So what's going on in the climate change arena? Here's an update.
EPA is moving ahead with regulating greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act in the time that Congress moves on a potential climate change bill. On XX date, Senator Kerry (D-MA) mentioned that Congress expects to have a revised Senate bill this year given that he and Senator Harry Reid prefer this.

At least 10 industry groups, 12 members of Congress, eight business associations, and three States (collectively, Petitioners) have filed petitions against EPA regarding the endangerment finding for greenhouse gases (EPA signed on December 7, 2009). In order for EPA to regulate greenhouse gases, they need to classify them as endangering public health. The House, under Representatives Collin Peterson (D-MN) and Skelton (D-MO), issued a joint venture between the Agriculture and Armed Services subcommittees to petition the endangerment. Likewise, the Senate, under Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), have scheduled to vote on the petition by mid-March on the Senate floor.

The antoginism for the endangerment and the speculation of the core scientific data on which the endangerment is based have not slowed the EPA from acting.