A petition has been filed in the Supreme Court challenging the Environmental Protection Agency’s finding that greenhouse gases endanger public health and welfare, its rule to limit greenhouse gases from passenger vehicles and its timing and tailoring rules that govern greenhouse gas permit applicability at stationary sources. The petition was filed by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association – along with the Coalition for Responsible Regulation. NCBA Deputy Environmental Counsel Ashley McDonald says many actions by this administration’s EPA have demonstrated they believe they are above the law. She says forcing these greenhouse gas regulations upon Americans – including hard-working cattlemen and women – is just another example of this. McDonald says NCBA is hopeful bringing the issue to the highest court in the nation will put a stop to the aggressive agenda-driven bullying by EPA.
EPA issued a finding that greenhouse gases are an endangerment to public health and the environment in December 2009. NCBA filed a petition with the District of Columbia Circuit Court of Appeals to challenge the science behind the agency’s finding. McDonald says that original challenge was aimed at taking regulatory rulemaking power away from those sitting behind desks in a federal agency and placing in back into the hands of the American people. The D.C. Court dismissed the challenge in June of last year. The court also upheld greenhouse gas regulations issued under the Clean Air Act for passenger vehicles and Clean Air Act permitting for stationary sources.
McDonald says the Clean Air Act is not an appropriate vehicle to regulate greenhouse gases. NCBA believes this manipulation of the Act goes against Congressional intent. McDonald says EPA continues to promulgate regulations that have a negative impact on the ability of producers to provide safe and affordable food for the nation and the world. She says cattlemen have a vested interest in protecting the environment and caring for their land – but these overreaching regulations must be curtailed.
Source: NAFB News Service