USA begins regulation of climate-changing gases

The US federal government started to regulate green house gas emissions from industry this week in the face of a likely backlash from Republicans in Congress as well as some rebellious States whose livelihoods focus on oil, coal or energy intensive industry.

President Obama came to power vowing that he would address climate change by reducing green house gas emissions and offering Congress a wide brief to pass the necessary legislation. In effect, with Congress doing very little, Obama's hand has been forced to use the national Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to implement his promises.

Commentators are expressing how easy it would be for the EPA to move things too fast or over-pressurize industry, potentially shifting the politics of climate mitigation in the USA back several years.

EPA's regulatory program, which started this week, plans to focus initial attention on companies planning to build large new facilities. The EPA estimate dealing with around 400 facilities like these every year for the first few years, before expanding to regulate most sources of green house gas emissions.

Already over 10 States have filed law suits against the implementation of EPA's new regulations. Texas State has gone as far as to refuse to comply with orders even from Washington.

Obama certainly has a battle on his hands, but at least he and the EPA have logic and world opinion on their side. As it happens, The US emissions have fallen over the last two years, largely due to a decrease in demand for electricity caused by the economic recession.

Sources: New York Times www.nytimes.com

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