A coalition of conservation groups and state attorneys general plan to sue the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for failing to address global warming pollution from ocean-going ships and aircraft.
The conservation groups’ notice of ‘intent to sue’ was filed by Earthjustice on behalf of Oceana, Friends of the Earth and the Center for Biological Diversity.
Eight state and local jurisdictions filed similar notices yesterday, formally declaring their intent to sue the EPA for unreasonable delay. The filers included the states California, Connecticut, Oregon, New Jersey, and the California Air Resources Board, South Coast Air Quality Management District, New York City, and the Pennsylvania Dept of Environmental Protection.
California Attorney General Jerry Brown said his state is participating in the
suit, because he had petitioned the EPA three times to implement
regulations and was met only with a "pathetically weak" proposal.
The coalition filed petitions to the EPA in October and December 2007, requesting that it determine whether greenhouse gas emissions from marine vessels and aircraft endanger public health and welfare, and if so, to issue regulations to control greenhouse gas emissions from these sources. The coalition asked for a response within 180 days but none was received during that period.
"The latest Bush administration tactic on global warming seems to be
‘if you can’t beat them, delay them,’" said Danielle Fugere, Western
Regional Program Director for Friends of the Earth. "Instead of taking
action on global warming pollution from shipping and aviation–two of
the fastest growing sources of carbon dioxide emissions worldwide–EPA
is yet again putting the brakes on developing innovative global warming
solutions."
The conservation groups also released a report today entitled Shipping Impacts on Climate: A Source with Solutions. The report analyzes the large impacts of shipping on climate change and discusses solutions.
Last week the California Air Resources Board approved regulations requiring ships to burn cleaner fuel when close to land.
In July the European Union ruled that airlines must join the Emission Trading Scheme to reduce greenhouse gases, starting in 2012.
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