A New EPA

by
Patrick Whelan

The Economist publications has published an article entitled A Green Figleaf which addresses a victory for environmentalist in the United States. The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) on April 17, 2009 came out and stated that there are six greenhouse gases that are harmful and dangerous to human health. The head of the EPA, Lisa Jackson, came out and declared that a ruling by the Supreme Court in 2007 that greenhouse gases found to be toxic should be regulated. This decision by the EPA comes at a critical moment when Congress is about to vote to control or not control emissions of gases that are realist into the atmosphere. This is a critical moment not only for the U.S. but also for the world.

In December, the world will come together in Copenhagen to decide what to do when the Kyoto Protocol runs out. Even though the Obama Administration strongly supports legislation to cap carbon emissions, however the Congress is struggling to support the measure. Many Republicans and a few conservative Democrats from Coal industry states are opposed to capping emissions.
The Economist believes that going to Copenhagen conference without national legislation by the United States would be embarrassing. Nations around the globe already have legislation and programs in place when the Kyoto Protocol runs out. China stimulus package in this tough economic time is doubling their spending on green technology, which is far more than United States. The European Commission has agreed on a 20-20-20 plan which includes reducing emissions by 20 percent below the 1990 levels by the year 2020.

The decision to regulate these harmful gases should not be difficult to push through the Congress seeing that there is a Democratic majority but apparently the United States Congress no matter which party is in the majority is the United States Congress. Local, state, and city governments have taken great strides to curb the amount of emissions they release. It is time for the U.S. to catch up with the rest of the world and commit to a plan on reducing harmful emissions, even if its a small plan, it will still be a step in the right direction.