The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is taking its time in starting the regulatory process for greenhouse gas emissions, as instructed to do by the Supreme Court a year ago.
Last week EPA administrator Stephen Johnson said the agency will issue proposed rules "later in the spring" on "the specific effects of climate change and potential regulation of greenhouse gas emissions from stationary and mobile sources."
The statement, made in a letter to congressional leaders, drew outrage from Democrats and environmental groups, who accused the agency of stalling to act, so the Bush Administration can leave office before any changes are made.
U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, said, "There is no time to waste, but the Administrator’s letter today makes it clear that EPA doesn’t intend to take any real action to combat global warming before President Bush leaves office. Time is not on our side when it comes to avoiding dangerous climate change. This letter makes it clear that Mr. Johnson and the Bush Administration are not on our side, either."
Regulations could be applied to emissions ranging from vehicles to power plants and oil refineries, but the process of establishing them will be long, requiring several comment periods and opportunities for the EPA to shift course.
Johnson’s letter said, "Rather than rushing to judgment on a single issue, this approach allows us to examine all the potential effects of a decision with the benefit of the public´s insight. In short, this process will best serve the American public."
The three-page letter didn´t include any particulars concerning a decision-making schedule.
U.S. Representative Henry Waxman (D-Calif.), chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee said Johnson’s announcement was a "transparent delaying tactic," while the Natural Resources Defense Council called it an "industry script designed to delay any real action to reduce global warming pollution for as long as possible and certainly until the next administration.
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