EPA Says Carbon Dioxide a Danger to Health

Washington, DC, March 24, 2009--The Environmental Protection Agency has submitted a proposed finding to the White House indicating that carbon dioxide is a danger to public health.

That, if approved by the White House, could trigger a clampdown on emissions of greenhouse gases across a wide swath of the economy because the EPA could use the Clean Air Act to control emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases.

That, in turn, could pressure Congress to enact a system that caps greenhouse gases. Business groups such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of Manufacturers warn that if the EPA moves forward on regulation of CO2 under the Clean Air Act -- instead of a measured legislative approach -- it could hobble the already weak economy.

The White House has indicated it will move cautiously when it comes to actually regulating greenhouse gases, preferring to have Congress act on the matter.