EPA Issues Final GHG Phase-In Guidelines

By: Daniel J. Goldstein, Published: 03/29/10 3:42pm

The Environmental Protection Agency says it will regulate greenhouse gases, but only gradually.

EPA administrator Lisa Jackson said today that despite opposition from Congress and the industry, the agency is moving forward using the "endangerment finding" to regulate both mobile and stationary sources of greenhouse gas emissions.

Jackson said in a final decision that the EPA would begin regulating mobile sources of carbon emissions, for light trucks and cars, starting in January 2011. That's the earliest 2012 model year vehicles will be available.

Jackson also said that stationary sources of GHGs, like factories and utilities, won't need to get a Clean Air Act permit addressing greenhouse gases before 2011. Jackson has promised only the largest emitters of carbon -- over 75,000 tons per year -- would be initially affected.

Today's decision comes nearly three years after the landmark Supreme Court case in April 2007 that said carbon dioxide was subject to Clean Air Act regulation.

Still, the EPA's plans have prompted members in both parties in Congress to try and stop the EPA from regulating carbon without a legislative OK from lawmakers.