In an historic decision moments ago, Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) Administrator Lisa Jackson issued a proposed ruling
that global warming pollution "endangers" Americans' health and
well-being.
Today's action sets the stage for using authority under the
Clean Air Act to establish national emission standards for large
global warming emitters.
EDF's deputy general counsel Vickie Patton says that with
today's announcement, "The U.S. is taking its first steps as a
nation to confront climate change. EPA's action is a wake
up-call for national policy solutions that secure our economic
and environmental future."
The EPA is now expected to begin developing national emission
standards for new motor vehicles and new coal-fired power
plants, the nation's two largest sources of global warming
pollution.
Today's action comes as Congress prepares to take its own
historic steps toward enacting a cap on global warming
pollution.
Next week, the House Energy and Commerce Committee will begin
hearings on comprehensive energy and climate legislation and
move quickly to a vote on the bill. Chairman Henry Waxman has
committed to moving the bill -- the American Clean Energy and
Security Act -- out of committee by Memorial Day.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she intends to bring the bill to
the House floor this year.
With EPA's decision as a backdrop, we will continue our all-out
campaign to pressure Congress to pass a cap on America's global
warming pollution as the most effective way to stop global
warming and unleash our clean energy future.
Please go to the Green Room to share your thoughts on today's
announcement: http://action.edf.org/ct/Jd_dLn91wEqN/
Thanks for your activism and support.
Sincerely,
Sam Parry
Director of Online Membership and Activism
Environmental Defense Fund
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