EPA Eyes Regulating Greenhouse Gas Emissions

The Environmental Protection Agency may seek to limit greenhouse gas emissions, the Washington Post reported Tuesday.

EPA submitted a finding to the White House last week that could allow it to limit carbon dioxide under the Clean Air Act, the Post said.

The Office of Management and Budget will now have to decide whether EPA’s finding — which is that greenhouse gas emissions endanger the public’s health and welfare — warrants including the emissions as pollutants under the CAA and then regulating them, the Post said.

Environmental groups praised EPA’s finding, while business groups such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce warned of the conclusion’s potential effects on the economy.

A spokesman for the White House told the Post that when it comes to greenhouse gas emissions, President Obama would prefer to work with Congress for a legislative solution.

The Supreme Court ruled in 2007 that the EPA could regulate carbon dioxide emissions under the Clean Air Act, but EPA avoided enacting regulations by opening a public comment period on them in 2008.