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EPA's Lisa Jackson Opposes Congressional Efforts to Slow EPA's regulation of Greenhouse Gases
03.08.2010
In remarks to the National Press Club today, EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson addressed her opposition to recent Congressional efforts to slow EPA's regulation of greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act. In relevent part, Jackson said:
"Most drastically, we are seeing efforts to further delay EPA action to reduce greenhouse gases. This is happening despite the overwhelming science on the dangers of climate change…despite the Supreme Court's 2007 decision that EPA must use the Clean Air Act to reduce the proven threat of greenhouse gases…and despite the fact that leaving this problem for our children to solve is an act of breathtaking negligence. Supposedly these efforts have been put forward to protect jobs. In reality, they will have serious negative economic effects. The clean cars program could be put on indefinite hold, leaving American automakers once again facing a patchwork of state standards. Without a clear picture of greenhouse gas regulations, there will be little incentive to invest in clean energy jobs. America will fall further behind our international competitors in the race for clean energy innovation. Finally, the economic costs of unchecked climate change will be orders of magnitude higher for the next generation than it would be for us to take action today. I can't in good conscience support any measure that passes that burden on to my two sons, and to their children. I find it hard to believe that any parent could say to their child, "We're going to wait to act." "
Preti attorney Steven Hudson observed that Jackson's defiance of certain Congressional Democrats, led by Senator Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) who last week co-sponsored a bill to prohibit EPA action to regulate greenhouse gases from stationary sources under the Clean Air Act , could presage a battle between those Democrats supporting Rockefeller and those, such as Senator John Kerry (D-MA), who are attempting to develop comprehensive climate change legislation.
Questions?
Attorney Steven Hudson is available at shudson@preti.com or by calling 207.623.5300.