US clears way for carbon emissions regulations

By Andrew Ward and Sarah O’Connor in Washington
Published: April 17 2009 19:14

Barack Obama’s administration on Friday took its first concrete step towards regulating greenhouse gas emissions by declaring carbon dioxide a danger to human health and welfare.
It clears the way for the US Environmental Protection Agency to regulate CO2 emissions under existing air pollution laws, without the need for fresh legislation.

It also appeared designed to increase pressure on Congress to pass new laws to tackle global warming, amid resistance on Capitol Hill to measures that would increase energy costs for businesses and consumers.
The US president wants progress before United Nations climate change talks in Copenhagen in December, to signal US commitment and encourage other countries, – particularly China and India – to make concessions.
The EPA has been considering its approach since a Supreme Court ruling in 2007 found it was entitled to regulate CO2 emissions under the Clean Air Act.
George W. Bush’s administration declined to take up the authority but the White House this week gave the green light for the EPA to start preparing the ground for regulation.
The Obama administration would prefer to tackle climate change through new legislation to set up a cap-and-trade system, which would be similar to the one used to regulate carbon emissions in Europe. The Clean Air Act provides a fallback option if Congress fails to act.
The EPA said the science pointing to man-made pollution as a cause of global warming was “compelling and overwhelming”, with CO2 emissions from burning fossil fuels the main cause. In a finding that qualifies CO2 for regulation, it said the gas posed “a threat to public health and welfare”.
Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009