Regulating Global Warming: Expanding the Authority of the Environmental Protection Agency


 

Publication Date: October 2008

Publisher: National Center for Policy Analysis (U.S.)

Author(s): Amanda Berg

Research Area: Environment

Keywords: EPA; Emissions; Greenhouse gas

Type: Brief

Coverage: United States

Abstract:

In May 2007, the U.S. Supreme Court decided that greenhouse gases meet the definition of an air pollutant in the Clean Air Act. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) responded in 2008 by issuing an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR) that explains how the Clean Air Act applies to regulating emissions of greenhouse gases thought to contribute to global warming. The notice will likely be followed by regulations to reduce emissions. Unfortunately, such regulations would significantly increase energy prices, but would not affect the global level of greenhouse gases.