The Trump-directed EPA has indicated it is considering revoking California's legal authority to set tailpipe pollutions standards that are stricter than federal regulations. (NYT, 9/6, P.B4) This action is being taken despite the fact that 13 other states
have adopted California's forward-looking effort to curtail global warming and air pollution and that major auto makers have announced their approval of and commitment to the higher standards.
In contemplating this environmentally destructive retreat from sensible measures to combat the life-threatening menace of increasing greenhouse gases in our atmosphere, the EPA must heed the caution voiced by Sen. James Imhofe of Oklahoma, who happens
to be a global-warming denier and apologist for Big Oil. At a hearing of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, held in July, 2007, Sen. Barbara Boxer, the committee chair, berated the EPA for unduly delaying action on California's request for
a waiver allowing the state to set its own standards. In defending EPA's inaction, Sen. Imhofe stated:
" In making a decision of this magnitude, it would be improper for the EPA not to involve the public and formally solicit notice and comment". The Senator added that the EPA needed time to read, assess and compare the comments and to thoroughly investigate
the issues raised by California, analyze each and every document, examine every argument raised in opposition and determine the ramifications of a decision. He concluded, " then, and only then, EPA needs to make a decision... rushing this process is unacceptable.
In fact, it would be arbitrary and capricious in law and in fact. "
Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment