EPA CO2 Limits Overdue under Clean Air Act, but Welcome

The Southern Environmental Law Center welcomed today’s anticipated announcement from the Environmental Protection Agency that Administrator Jackson will unveil a proposal to establish nationwide standards for controlling the largest new and existing sources of CO2 and five other heat-trapping gas pollutants. “Given the Clean Air Act’s plain language, there is no question that CO2 has long been subject to regulation under the Act. With this announcement, EPA appears to be taking a long overdue step to establish nationwide emissions standards for the largest sources of CO2 and other heat-trapping pollutants,” said John Suttles, senior attorney with the Southern Environmental Law Center. “The march of bureaucracy is finally catching up to the law and not a moment too soon as climate change impacts unfold even faster than scientists had predicted. Strong nationwide standards for the largest CO2 emitters are needed to help avert the most catastrophic effects of climate change. Of course, the devil will be in the details which we have yet to see from EPA.” ### About the Southern Environmental Law Center The Southern Environmental Law Center is the only regional nonprofit using the power of the law to protect the health and environment of the Southeast (Virginia, Tennessee, North and South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama). Founded in 1986, SELC's team of 40 legal experts represent more than 100 partner groups on issues of climate change and energy, air and water quality, forests, the coast and wetlands, transportation, and land use. WEB: www.SouthernEnvironment.org FACEBOOK: http://www.fanofselc.org TWITTER: http://www.twitter.com/selc_org