Washington D.C. - Today the
U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in a landmark global warming case, Massachusetts v.
EPA. This case will decide whether the
Clean Air Act authorizes the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to
regulate the pollution that causes global warming.
Right now, states across the
country are taking steps to reduce the heat-trapping gases that cause global
warming. However, the Bush
administration is refusing to regulate greenhouse gas emissions under the Clean
Air Act, blocking these states from moving forward. Challenging this position is a coalition of
nearly 30 states, cities, and environmental organizations. (A complete list of these petitioners and
other documents related to the case can be found by going to www.cleancarscampaign.org and
clicking on “Court Action.”)
The Bush administration is
arguing that the Clean Air Act does not cover the pollutants that cause global
warming. This is a 180 degree reversal
from a previously stated EPA decision during the Clinton administration that the Clean Air Act
did indeed cover global warming pollutants.
The Clean Air Act explicitly
authorizes EPA to regulate emissions of any air pollutant that may reasonably
be anticipated to endanger public health or welfare. Further, the Clean Air Act recognizes effects
on weather and climate as part of what constitutes welfare.
If the Supreme Court rules in
favor of the State of Massachusetts,
EPA will be compelled to act and the States will be free to move forward to
protect their citizens. If though, the
Supreme Court rules against Massachusetts,
it puts pressure on the New Congress to act now to address the threat of
climate change. Regardless of the
outcome this is a significant issue for Michigan
as the automotive state. Automakers will
continue to face more pressure over their role in global warming from the next
Congress.
The Supreme Court is expected
to rule in the case by July.
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ADDITIONAL MEDIA CONTACTS: To speak with the lead, environmental group
attorneys in the case, please call:
David Bookbinder
Senior Attorney
Sierra Club
Media Contact: Josh Dorner,
Sierra Club, (202) 675-2384
David Doniger
Climate Center Policy Director
Natural Resources Defense
Council
Media Contact: Eben
Burnham-Snyder, NRDC, (202) 513-6254
Joe
Mendelson
International Center for Technology Assessment
(202)
547-9359
