THE U.S. EMISSIONS PLAN: FOOT-DRAGGING

Many say Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Johnson’s announcement his agency will finally face its responsibility to establish greenhouse gas (GhG) emission regulations rings hollow. The process his announcement letter initiates is unlikely to be completed in the remaining time the Bush administration that appointed him will hold the White House. The Bush term ends in January 2009.

Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif), chairman, Senate Environment Committee: "Instead of action, we get more foot-dragging…"

Senator Boxer’s committee has approved its own climate change legislation and debate on it is expected to come to the Senate floor in June.

David Hawkins, climate change expert, Natural Resources Defense Council: "The name of the game here is to run out the clock, basically…All of this stuff will come in in a big pile and it will be on the next administration's desk."

Another thing: By announcing his EPA will issue regulations not just on vehicles but on the full spectrum of emissions sources, Johnson makes the matter much more complicated because it brings U.S. utilities into the controversy. Regulations to mitigate global climate change could cost big utilities like American Electric Power and Southern Company billions of dollars.

John Kinsman, senior director, utility advocate Edison Electric Institute: "It's appropriate that the EPA fully understands the consequences of using the Clean Air Act tool to address greenhouse gases…"

What Kinsman means is that he can see how much longer it will take to enact regulations that confront the complexities of both vehicle and stationary sources. And how much easier such complex regulations will be to hang up in the courts.

Senator Boxer’s legislation, unlike the EPA rules, could potentially be binding on the utilities – but the utilities have allies in the Senate who can be expected to use the power of the filibuster to thwart emissions legislation.

The letter rings hollow. (click to enlarge)

Government to propose CO2 rules this spring
Chris Baltimore (w/Russell Blinch and David Gregorio), March 28, 2008 (Reuters)

WHO
The Bush administration’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator, Stephen Johnson

We're Number One - Public Eneemy Number One. (click to enlarge)

WHAT
Johnson informed Congress by letter the EPA will finally revise its 2003 refusal to regulate carbon-dioxide emissions from new cars and trucks in compliance with a 2007 Supreme Court ruling that it must enforce the Clean Air Act.

WHEN
Johnson’s March 27 letter said the EPA will issue its standards “later this spring.”

There are things that can be done. (click to enlarge)

WHERE
The U.S. emits the most GhG’s in the world. The Bush administration opposes mandatory emissions caps without similar measures from other major emitters like China and India because it would put the U.S. at a competitive disadvantage.

WHY
- The letter initiates the process of obtaining input from business and the public which will result it EPA rules.
- Johnson says the EPA must consider stationary sources of emissions (power plants, oil refineries, schools, hospitals) if it is going to consider vehicle emissions.
- Vehicle emissions make up 30% of U.S. GhGs. Coal plants account for 40%.

It all started because California's Gov. Arnold thought the U.S. could meet a higher auto fuel emissions standard than China. The Bush administration is not down with that. (click to enlarge)

QUOTES
- From Johnson’s letter: "[The rules will cover] the specific effects of climate change and potential regulation of greenhouse gas emissions from stationary and mobile sources."
- Johnson, EPA: "This is not just about cars and trucks…potential domino effect of taking a step toward regulating one source could have significant and in fact lasting implications."