Industry Groups Sue over 'Endangerment Finding'

Opponents of EPA's 'Endangerment Finding' have filed lawsuits asking the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to review EPA's determination that greenhouse gases endanger human health and welfare. EPA issued finding that carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases endanger public health last December. The finding was issued in response to a 2007 U.S. Supreme Court ruling and allows EPA to regulate the heat-trapping emissions under the Clean Air Act.

Those filing petitions included:

Ohio Coal Association
Utility Air Regulatory Group
Portland Cement Association
State of Texas
Competitive Enterprise Institute
National Association of Manufacturers (NAM)
American Petroleum Institute
Corn Refiners Association
National Association of Home Builders
National Oilseed Processors Association
National Petrochemical and Refiners Association
Western States Petroleum Association

Industry groups and states argue that forthcoming EPA regulations will have devastating economic consequences. EPA and other environmentalists, including the Center, would prefer for Congress to pass legislation that would delineate how greenhouse gases should be regulated.

Ten other petitions have been filed by:

Alabama
Virginia
American Iron and Steel Institute
Gerdau Ameristeel Corporation
American Farm Bureau Federation
National Mining Association
Peabody Energy Company
U.S. Chamber of Commerce
13 House lawmakers
Southeastern Legal Foundation
Coalition for Responsible Regulation

A coalition of 16 states and New York City has also asked to intervene on behalf of EPA in the endangerment case. (NYT, 2/17/10-Greenwire)