EPA Declares CO2 a Pollutant

Regulation of greenhouse gasses will have more immediate impact

(NEWSER) - No matter what happens in Copenhagen, the Obama administration is preparing to make a move to curb greenhouse gases at home that has businesses up in arms. As early as today the EPA is expected to announce that carbon dioxide has officially been classified as a dangerous pollutant, meaning that the EPA can regulate its emission even without action from Congress. More»

Big industrial plants to be targeted, not 'cows and Dunkin' Donuts'

(NEWSER) - The Obama administration has given the EPA the green light to start moving for the first time toward limiting greenhouse-gas emissions from major industrial sources. The proposed new rules would affect only large facilities that emit 25,000 tons or more of carbon dioxide annually, instead of applying to "every cow and Dunkin’ Donuts," as critics of EPA involvement in emissions control charge. More»

(NEWSER) - The EPA's decision today to declare carbon dioxide and five other greenhouse gases dangerous pollutants could have enormous consequences for US businesses, writes Andy Stone in Forbes. The big winner: green technology. The ruling could eventually give the EPA unprecedented regulatory control over everything from power plants to oil refineries to automobiles. The US Chamber of Commerce says the decision could wreak havoc on the economy. More»

Agency will act on ignored Supreme Court ruling

(NEWSER) - The EPA is expected to soon start regulating emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases for the first time, reports the New York Times. The agency is under an order—ignored by the Bush administration—to decide whether CO2 is a pollutant that endangers the public. Obama administration officials have signaled that an affirmative decision will be forthcoming within weeks. More»

(NEWSER) - Carbon dioxide and five other greenhouse gasses are indeed dangers to the public health and welfare and must be regulated, the EPA has concluded. The findings could result in sweeping new powers for the EPA to regulate emissions over a wide range of industries and automobiles, the AP reports. The potential new power for the EPA could give Democrats leverage in passing climate change rules now under consideration. More»