SACE Statement on EPA Determination
Knoxville, Tn. – Today Stephen A. Smith, Executive Director for the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, issued a statement in reaction to yesterday’s determination by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that global warming pollution does threaten public health and safety. Administrator Jackson indicated the agency would begin taking action under its Clean Air Act authority. This decision was announced just as the first day of international climate talks ended in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Stephen A. Smith’s Statement:
“This announcement strengthens the Obama administration in their efforts to regulate carbon in the United States and reinforces our commitment to clean energy in preparation for the international agreement in Copenhagen. While I agree with President Obama and Administrator Jackson that a legislative solution to the problem of climate change is preferable, I believe that if Congress fails to pass comprehensive climate legislation then the EPA should fulfill its obligation to respond to the 2007 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that determined that greenhouse gases fit within the Clean Air Act definition of air pollutants. This ruling provides at least one route for the necessary and serious measures that are needed to reduce global warming pollution in this country.” Related Resource:
EPA Climate Change>Clean Air Act>Regulatory Initiatives Page:http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/endangerment.html