EPA’ s Lisa Jackson panders to Copenhagen on opening day. Planned for months of course, with public comment ignored. It is now the people -vs- the EPA, coming to a courtroom near you.
From the EPA press release:
EPA: Greenhouse Gases Threaten Public Health and the Environment
Science overwhelmingly shows greenhouse gas concentrations at unprecedented levels due to human activity
WASHINGTON – After a thorough examination of the scientific evidence and careful consideration of public comments, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today that greenhouse gases (GHGs) threaten the public health and welfare of the American people. EPA also finds that GHG emissions from on-road vehicles contribute to that threat.
GHGs are the primary driver of climate change, which can lead to hotter, longer heat waves that threaten the health of the sick, poor or elderly; increases in ground-level ozone pollution linked to asthma and other respiratory illnesses; as well as other threats to the health and welfare of Americans.
“These long-overdue findings cement 2009’s place in history as the year when the United States Government began addressing the challenge of greenhouse-gas pollution and seizing the opportunity of clean-energy reform,” said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. “Business leaders, security experts, government officials, concerned citizens and the United States Supreme Court have called for enduring, pragmatic solutions to reduce the greenhouse gas pollution that is causing climate change. This continues our work towards clean energy reform that will cut GHGs and reduce the dependence on foreign oil that threatens our national security and our economy.”
EPA’s final findings respond to the 2007 U.S. Supreme Court decision that GHGs fit within the Clean Air Act definition of air pollutants. The findings do not in and of themselves impose any emission reduction requirements but rather allow EPA to finalize the GHG standards proposed earlier this year for new light-duty vehicles as part of the joint rulemaking with the Department of Transportation.
On-road vehicles contribute more than 23 percent of total U.S. GHG emissions. EPA’s proposed GHG standards for light-duty vehicles, a subset of on-road vehicles, would reduce GHG emissions by nearly 950 million metric tons and conserve 1.8 billion barrels of oil over the lifetime of model year 2012-2016 vehicles.
EPA’s endangerment finding covers emissions of six key greenhouse gases – carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons and sulfur hexafluoride – that have been the subject of scrutiny and intense analysis for decades by scientists in the United States and around the world.
Scientific consensus shows that as a result of human activities, GHG concentrations in the atmosphere are at record high levels and data shows that the Earth has been warming over the past 100 years, with the steepest increase in warming in recent decades. The evidence of human-induced climate change goes beyond observed increases in average surface temperatures; it includes melting ice in the Arctic, melting glaciers around the world, increasing ocean temperatures, rising sea levels, acidification of the oceans due to excess carbon dioxide, changing precipitation patterns, and changing patterns of ecosystems and wildlife.
President Obama and Administrator Jackson have publicly stated that they support a legislative solution to the problem of climate change and Congress’ efforts to pass comprehensive climate legislation. However, climate change is threatening public health and welfare, and it is critical that EPA fulfill its obligation to respond to the 2007 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that determined that greenhouse gases fit within the Clean Air Act definition of air pollutants.
EPA issued the proposed findings in April 2009 and held a 60-day public comment period. The agency received more than 380,000 comments, which were carefully reviewed and considered during the development of the final findings.
Information on EPA’s findings: http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/endangerment.html
We’re screwed.
Robbie (19:51:48) writes:
“A massive campaign must be launched to de-develop the United States. De-development means bringing our economic system into line with the realities of ecology and the world resource situation.”
– Paul Ehrlich, Professor of Population Studies
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The Science Czar of the United Stated co-write a book with Ehrlich. I provided a link earlier. This is all just a silly coincidence though.
A couple last points:
The 25,000-50,000 enterprises that will get screwed by EPA will be so treated regardless of whether the threshold is 250 TPY or 25,000 TPY. So they’re going to be screwed and PO’d regardless of what threshold the EPA chooses.
The big enterprises pay big money to their corporate executives. But when their profit margins get clobbered by EPA mandates, corporate money available for payouts and perks will shrink or disappear. That will leave corporate leaders and boards of directors PO’d big time. Especially when they’re already the target for Obama’s confiscatory taxes to pay for the proposed health care bill or to finance the next stimulus package.
Very interesting. I await the lawyers, both here in the UK, where environmentalism has yet to be tested in court as a religion and in the States where a pleasing outcome has a better than 95% confidence level to my jaded eye.
Poptech (06:41:19) :
Lisa Jackson holds a masters in chemical engineering. She is better placed to pontificate on the efficacy, or lack thereof, of trace gases than any of the Exxon funded people you quote, except maybe the last, … or Fred, …. or all of them.
/lies
Charlie K (06:12:20) :
Among the url shortening websites http://bit.ly is my favorite, making your long url into
http://bit.ly/7omSTx
but http://tinyurl.com/ allows customization, turning your long url into
http://tinyurl.com/despotics
for example. Either one takes seconds and saves grief – just what Al invented Internet for.
Sorry America – it just gets worse, sadly where you lead others will soon follow.
BIG BREATHS
Since Young Pitt invented taxes
It’s been a legislative creed,
to divise a foolproof system
to shear the sheep ’till they near bleed.
then today I read a story
from the good old U S of A,
they will tax the air you breath
thanks to your thoughtful E P A.
It’s Obamas’ panacea
to cure our global warming mals,
dreamt up by crazy scientists
in great computer-game cabals.
every problem has an answer
old Yankee genius will prevail,
take a deep breath every morning
you won’t be taxed ’till you exhale.
you should have another party
on those historic Boston quays,
tell your unelected quangos
to stick their taxes where they please.
ask your numpty politicians
for once to hear your point of view,
ask them to show it’s possible
to have life – without CO2.
patrick healy
note for N.American readers
Numpty : Scottish word for ignorant or foolish person.
QUANGO : quasi autonomous non government organisation (Jobs for the boys on taxpayers money)
They recieved 360,000 comments which were studiously ignored unless they agreed with the pre concieved and decided notion.
@ur momisugly D. King (20:38:03) :
“Roger Sowell (20:14:42) :
Do you think this will take care of California’s problem as well?”
Nope, having lived among the Californians since 1986, my conclusion is they are beyond all hope or help. Even though I do try to straighten out the mess that exists, the reality is that California (like an alcoholic) must experience a “bottom” or very low point, and only then find the resolve to make life better by staying away from “the stuff.” That bottom is not far off, IMHO.
California essentially declared CO2 a dangerous pollutant by enacting state law AB 32 in 2006. They did not use the identical language, but the effect is the same.
I am quite excited to see AGW theory stand real trial. This is exactly what is needed.
On December 7, 1941 America was attacked by an enemy bent on reducing America’s role in the world, killing many Americans and wrecking our economy.
On december 7, 2009 America was once again attacked by an enemy seeking to do exactly the same thing.
The only difference is that the new enemy is led by fanatic bureaucrats and corrupt scientists, and not fanatic Japanese military dictators.
There was a thread at Climate Audit (“EPA Quality Guidelines: the NAS Panel and IPCC” http://www.climateaudit.org/?p=5818) just after the EPA had released their “Proposed Endangerment and Cause or Contribute Findings for Greenhouse Gases Under Section 202(a) of the Clean Air Act”. On that thread Joe Solters posted the following comment (#52):
“This thread on EPA’s tech findings is quite probably Steve’s most important contribution to the concept of a final conclusion linking AGW theory to direct action on CO2 remediation. Whatever EPA finally decides, it’s technical findings are subject to the Administrative Procedures Act. Under this law EPA has a very heavy, very specific burden to show that CO2, or any other GHG, actually cause real harm to human health. Citing studies performed by others, and not controlled directly by EPA, as its sole basis for technical conclusions is very unlikely to meet explicit procedural requirements of the law. Additionally, EPA is required to respond specifically to comments on its proposal. Like it or not, EPA’s gamble to rely excusively upon IPCC et al, data on an issue of this significance is not going to pass court review. Bottom line, the American public is paying EPA to conduct its own studies on AGW and provide for detailed public comment on each study.”
I wonder if it’s time for someone to notify Ms. Jackson of her problem?
Since Congress does a good job according to only about 20% of Americans, I understand that the bureaucrats think it is safe to throw them out. Good riddance. Who needs them.
And in Switzerland the bureacrats decided to get rid of the people because they do not vote as told. Bye, bye.
From the The First Global Revolution: A Report by the Council of the Club of Rome
Alexander King and Bertrand Schneider – 1991
Page 115
“In searching for a new enemy to unite us, we came up with the idea that pollution, the threat of global warming, water shortages, famine and the like would fit the bill. In their totality and in their interactions these phenomena do constitute a common threat which demands the solidarity of all peoples. But in designating them as the enemy, we fall into the trap about which we have already warned, namely mistaking symptoms for causes. All these dangers are caused by human intervention and it is only through changed attitudes and behaviour that they can be overcome. The real enemy, then, is humanity itself.”
This EPA ruling represents a major political defeat for the Administration.
They were defeated in the Senate even before the bill showed up.
So now they have to resort to dictatorial decrees.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/dec/08/copenhagen-climate-summit-disarray-danish-text
I don’t know if this is going to run…
“After a thorough examination of the scientific evidence and careful consideration of public comments…”
Yeah, right. Who do they think they’re kidding? This was a foregone conclusion based on politics, and nothing more. Yes, they “carefully considered” the public comments the same way I “carefully consider” each piece of junk mail I get, too, but first it goes into the ‘ground file’ (all paper), which then gets “considered” when I haul it all to be recycled, where it gets “considered” several more times on its way to becoming paper again (hopefully).
I find it quite ironic on how for the last 2 years , CO2 gas emissions were the number ONE threat to the population of the Earth .
Now that ClimateGate has proved Temperture and CO2 data to be falsified and/manipulated , the EPAis now jumping on the ‘ Greenhouse Gases ‘ bandwagan .
Simply Amazing !
Oh, the irony! Check this quote from Wikipedia.
—————–
Sulfur hexafluoride was the tracer gas used in the first roadway air dispersion model calibration; this research program was sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and conducted in Sunnyvale, California on U.S. Highway 101.[1]
Re Previous post CO2 Mask.
On a CTV (Canada) story the EPA ruling was announced with a picture of a chinese women wearing a mask.
I emailed, and the picture has now been changed to show a picture of Lisa Jackson. That was Fun!
Pielke Jr has a great post, mentioning how his work was misused by the EPA (Do Sloppy Policiy Arguments Matter? Part I http://rogerpielkejr.blogspot.com/2009/12/do-sloppy-policy-arguments-matter-part.html). EPA is claiming that hurricanes damages grew dramatically in the 20th century, which Pielke claims his work does not say. This would make for great cross examination in a court of law!
P Gosselin (09:15:07): “This EPA ruling represents a major political defeat for the Administration. They were defeated in the Senate even before the bill showed up.
So now they have to resort to dictatorial decrees.”
It is possible that the EPA knows it will not get its CO2 regulations through the court system for several years if at all. The only reason they are announcing this now may be the administration trying to force Congress into action. I imagine everyone, even the “Greens”, are a bit scared of what the EPA might come up with if Congress doesn’t take the initiative away from them and regulate by law instead of fiat.
Ralph, the disgusting video with the girl hanging from the tree is Cop 15, above.
what a bs, thanks for the vid Eve.. i left my comment there ;]
To George S. (21:54:45):
The reason I’m sickened is that I was watching a Fox report on Copenhagen and I saw the video ( http://vodpod.com/watch/2649085-please-help-the-world-cop15-opening-film ) that they opened the conference with and the sheer size of the meeting (hall, delegates, breadth of it all, etc.) and it hit me…
..what a monster they have created.
The EPA announcement shows the depth of this “infection” ( per jamesafalk (18:15:46): ) and how critical it is for them to push this agenda through immediately. Videos like the one above manipulating children prove the cult like “at-all-cost” nature of the people involved.
The MSM (Anderson Cooper’s report tonight on CNN was criminal) is in lock step and fighting ferociously to maintain the AGW perception long enough for monster to become unstoppable.
It’s a sad 🙁 day !
And heres a couple quotes out of John Holdren’s (Obama’s Science Czar) book “Ecoscience”
“Indeed, it has been concluded that compulsory population-control laws, even including laws requiring compulsory abortion, could be sustained under the existing Constitution if the population crisis became sufficiently severe to endanger the society.”
“Perhaps those agencies, combined with UNEP and the United Nations population agencies, might eventually be developed into a Planetary Regime—sort of an international superagency for population, resources, and environment. Such a comprehensive Planetary Regime could control the development, administration, conservation, and distribution of all natural resources, renewable or nonrenewable, at least insofar as international implications exist. Thus the Regime could have the power to control pollution not only in the atmosphere and oceans, but also in such freshwater bodies as rivers and lakes that cross international boundaries or that discharge into the oceans. The Regime might also be a logical central agency for regulating all international trade, perhaps including assistance from DCs to LDCs, and including all food on the international market. ”
“If this could be accomplished, security might be provided by an armed international organization, a global analogue of a police force. Many people have recognized this as a goal, but the way to reach it remains obscure in a world where factionalism seems, if anything, to be increasing. The first step necessarily involves partial surrender of sovereignty to an international organization.”
“The Planetary Regime might be given responsibility for determining the optimum population for the world and for each region and for arbitrating various countries’ shares within their regional limits. Control of population size might remain the responsibility of each government, but the Regime would have some power to enforce the agreed limits.”
“Adding a sterilant to drinking water or staple foods is a suggestion that seems to horrify people more than most proposals for involuntary fertility control. Indeed, this would pose some very difficult political, legal, and social questions, to say nothing of the technical problems. No such sterilant exists today, nor does one appear to be under development. To be acceptable, such a substance would have to meet some rather stiff requirements: it must be uniformly effective, despite widely varying doses received by individuals, and despite varying degrees of fertility and sensitivity among individuals; it must be free of dangerous or unpleasant side effects; and it must have no effect on members of the opposite sex, children, old people, pets, or livestock.”
I hope people start to understand just what all of these clowns in Copenhagen believe in, and what their intentions are before its to late.