EPA cleared to issue climate endangerment finding

April 15, 2009
The White House has cleared the way for the US Environmental Protection Agency to issue an endangerment finding that greenhouse gases pose a danger to public health and welfare.

Paula Dittrick
Senior Staff Writer

HOUSTON, Apr. 15 -- The White House has cleared the way for the US Environmental Protection Agency to issue an endangerment finding that greenhouse gases pose a danger to public health and welfare.

EPA officials said there is no timetable for when the endangerment finding might be issued. The US Supreme Court on Apr. 2, 2007, ordered EPA to determine whether carbon dioxide emissions from vehicles threaten public health and welfare (OGJ, Apr. 9, 2007, p. 33).

Under the administration of US President Barack H. Obama, the EPA moved forward on an endangerment announcement. Such an official announcement would enable the regulation of GHGs under the Clean Air Act.

EPA submitted its proposed finding in March to the White House Office of Management and Budget as part of the normal interagency review process.

"OMB has concluded their review, and we will determine what further action to take," EPA spokeswoman Adora Andy said in an Apr. 15 e-mail to OGJ.

The OMB clearance falls short of the White House actually directing the EPA to proceed with the regulatory process.

Other possible options
Meanwhile, a subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee expects next week to discuss proposed energy and climate legislation entitled the 2009 American Clean Energy and Security Act.

The Obama administration has suggested it would like to have Congress deal with climate change regulation through a cap-and-trade system.

Separately, the Center for Biological Diversity filed a petition with the federal government to protect US waters from ocean acidification, which results from oceans absorbing CO2. The EPA on Apr. 15 said it will review whether those emissions should be regulated under the Clean Water Act.

Contact Paula Dittrick at [email protected].