'Huge Win for Clean Air' in U.S. Supreme Court

From: Environmental Defense, republished on OneWorld

High Court Ruling Puts Pressure on Congress to Act on Global Warming

In Massachusetts vs. EPA , Court rules greenhouse gases are a pollutant

In separate case, Environmental Defense vs. Duke Energy, High Court also rules for environment

WASHINGTON (April 2, 2007) – The Supreme Court said today that carbon dioxide and other heat trapping gases are a pollutant under the Clean Air Act, and the U.S. government already has authority to regulate them. But the landmark ruling does not require the federal government to act, putting new pressure on Congress to write legislation that mandates federal action on global warming.

“It's important to remember the Court did not rule EPA has to take action on climate change, that’s why this is ultimately up to Congress. The Court did all it can, but if we’re really going to fix climate change, Congress has pass a cap on carbon pollution, and soon," said Environmental Defense President Fred Krupp on the Massachusetts case.

The Environmental Protection Agency previous declared it did not have the power under the Clean Air Act to regulate global warming pollution. By a 5 to 4 margin the Court overruled that position, ordering the Agency to reconsider regulating greenhouse gas emissions.

Environmental Defense is urging Congress to put an economy-wide cap on carbon emissions and set the U.S. on the path to an 80 percent reduction from current levels by mid-century. Click here for more on this case.

In a second case, the Court ruled that industrial smokestacks and power plants must meet today's cost-effective pollution control standards when facilities are refurbished.

"This is a huge win for clean air. The Court ruled unanimously that companies have to use the latest cost effective technology to reduce pollution when they upgrade their plants. This is not a legal abstraction -- it means we'll have cleaner air and less childhood asthma,” said Krupp. “We're very proud of our work in this case -- it's going to make a real difference in people's lives." Click here for more on this case.

Environmental Defense was a plaintiff in both cases.

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Well I'm glad someone in our government is finally doing something even if they just state the obvious. I actually have never seen so many obvious headlines recently: Global Warming will hurt the Tropics the Most, China and US must be the Leader in the Fight against Climate Change. Can anyone say ... duh?