EPA's 'Endangerment' and 'Contribution' Finding Is Tool for Regulating Greenhouse Gases in Stationary and Mobile Sources; Industry Calls the Ruling 'Far-Reaching' and Politically Motivated; Armed with the EPA's Ruling, Obama Goes to Copenhagen

摘要

On 12/7/09, the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) Administrator, Lisa Jackson, rolled out a Final Rule addressing the threat of excessive greenhouse gases pursuant to section 202(a) of the Clean Air Act (CAA), marking another step toward U.S. regulation of emissions. The rule involves two "findings." First, the "Endangerment Finding," concludes that six greenhouse gases in the atmosphere "threaten" public health. Second, the "Contribution Finding," says that the combined emissions from new motor vehicles and vehicle engines contribute to greenhouse gas pollution, also threatening public health.