EPA Warning: Greenhouse Gases Endanger Human Health

The Environmental Protection Agency has issued a warning that greenhouse gas emissions are a threat to human health, and must be regulated.

Under a Supreme Court ruling, the so-called endangerment finding is needed before the EPA can regulate carbon dioxide and five other greenhouse gases released from power plants, factories and automobiles under the federal Clean Air Act.

The warning comes as the UN Copenhagen summit (pictured) is set to examine global environmental issues.  The Wall Street Journal headlines “Business Fumes Over Carbon Dioxide Rule,” setting up a divide between pro-business and pro-environment forces.

An “endangerment” finding by the Environmental Protection Agency could pave the way for the government to require businesses that emit carbon dioxide and five other greenhouse gases to make costly changes in machinery to reduce emissions — even if Congress doesn’t pass pending climate-change legislation. EPA action to regulate emissions could affect the U.S. economy more directly, and more quickly, than any global deal inked in the Danish capital, where no binding agreement is expected.

Many business groups are opposed to EPA efforts to curb a gas as ubiquitous as carbon dioxide.

Congressional Republicans are using the CRU’s stolen emails as an excuse to argue against enacting change, and calling on the EPA to withdraw its ruling.

By: Alan

Alan Colmes is the publisher of Liberaland.