After unexpected successes in the lame duck session of Congress, the administration pressed ahead last week with an environmental initiative that is sure to encounter resistance in the next session.
The Environmental Protection Agency announced that it would crack down on greenhouse gas emissions from power plants and oil refineries. EPA intends to use federal regulations to limit emissions of carbon dioxide and other gases linked to global warming.
But Congress quite conspicuously failed to enact a “cap and trade” system for regulating greenhouse gases earlier this year. Almost any approach is better than doing nothing about global warming, but conservatives were quick to complain that the EPA is using regulations to accomplish what could not be done by legislation.
Opponents can’t fairly criticize the EPA for over-reaching. Congress has already determined that taking action to avoid a warmer climate and its associated dangers to life and property is well within the scope of the Clean Air Act. EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson rightly emphasized this point, saying her intention is to reduce pollution that threatens the health and welfare of Americans.
The EPA reportedly plans to take a deliberate approach to rulemaking, preparing by establishing a strong scientific case for the effort against global warming. We hope such studies will help silence the political rancor aroused by climate change concerns.
In the meantime, the EPA will need public support and the support of the president against efforts by Republicans to dismiss both the threat of global warming and overdue U.S. efforts to restrain it.
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