EPA Decision Threatens Clean Air Act
An excerpt from today's Seattle P-I reveals an EPA decision to cease and desist pursuing some of the nation's worst polluters, including coal plants, refineries and factories:
WASHINGTON -- The Environmental Protection Agency may drop some investigations into whether coal-burning power plants, refineries and factories are violating federal clean air laws.
The agency said in a statement that for now it is vigorously pursuing cases it already has filed against various plants, but will take a case-by-case approach to decide whether to pursue or set aside pending investigations.
However, an EPA official said senior agency managers were told Tuesday night at a meeting in Seattle to set aside current investigations and enforcement work unless past activities violated the newly loosened pollution rules. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said such a retroactive application of new regulations to possible past violations was unprecedented.
Read the entire story from the Seattle P-I: EPA reviews air pollution investigations
Seattle Times: EPA dropping cases as Clean Air Act enforcement curtailed
In a related story, west coast governors have formed a partnership to curb air pollution in their states. California Gov. Gray Davis, Washington Gov. Gary Locke and Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski Monday announced that over the next year they will develop a common regional climate policy to include joint state purchases of fuel-efficient vehicles, reduction of diesel emissions, promotion of renewable energy and energy efficiency, and development of a regional greenhouse gas inventory.
"The rest of the world's advanced economies have already begun to retool for a successful, prosperous transition to clean energy sources and efficient energy systems," notes K.C. Golden from Earth Share of Washington member Climate Solutions. "With this announcement, the Governors are clearly signaling that the federal government won't stop America's most forward-looking states from taking action."
Read the entire story from the September 23 news article in Earth Share of Washington News: Environmental Leaders Praise Groundbreaking Global Warming Partnership by West Coast Governors
