Electric Co-op Today

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in April 2007 that carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases are air pollutants and therefore subject to the Clean Air Act. The landmark ruling directed the Environmental Protection Agency to establish rules governing carbon emissions. Within the past several months, EPA moved to enact broad new rules that could have significant impact on industry.

David Callis

On Sept. 15, 2009, EPA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration proposed new greenhouse gas emission standards for light-duty vehicles. And on Dec. 7, EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson signed two distinct findings regarding greenhouse gases under section 202(a) of the Clean Air Act: first, that carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere threaten the public health and welfare, and second, that the combined emissions of greenhouse gases from new motor vehicles contribute to the greenhouse gas pollution that threatens the public health and welfare.

The announcement sent a signal to Congress that if legislation remains bogged down, the Obama administration will act to limit emissions across the country. NRECA believes that EPA will start up a climate change program by 2011 or 2012, absent action by Congress.

President Obama and Administrator Jackson have publicly stated that they support both a legislative solution to the problem of climate change and Congress’s efforts to pass comprehensive climate legislation.

The nation’s electric co-ops agree. We believe, as do many legislative and industry experts, that legislation enacted by Congress should be the sole legal and regulatory authority used to require reduction of greenhouse gas emissions to address climate change.

Tags: Climate Change Legislation, Co-op Voices