As some hope the Environmental Protection Agency will take some action on greenhouse gases, and others hope it will not, an impressively diverse coalition said this week that it had agreed on principles for EPA to use in shaping GHG regulation. The group of 12 -- electric utilities of several types, power generators, industrials and the Environmental Defense Fund -- is "prepared to work constructively with EPA." But it was hard to find the beef.
Perhaps it's code, and EPA has the key.
These are beliefs the 12 agree on: EPA will take prompt action to determine whether GHGs endanger public health and welfare. Congress should be the one to craft comprehensive climate legislation, but while Congress works, EPA can develop "a unifying national framework" for it. States have a role, too. EPA "should use the authority that is best suited" to address the issue, and EPA should "advance policy actions that address the potential for unintended adverse consequences."
OK. The principles: Root the action in science. Consult closely with Congress. Include all levels of government, including state and local. Commit to public outreach and participation. Meet congressional deadlines for putting in place a mandatory greenhouse gas registry, starting with registries that states have established. Prioritize the action, to put in place measures that are "cost-effective, can be implemented and will make real progress with lasting benefits."
Further, EPA should give credit for the voluntary, documented early GHG emission reductions that companies have made. It should not set national air quality standards for carbon dioxide, but instead use measures that have "the greatest flexibility practicable and encourage investment in new clean technologies." Last, it should "optimize investments in pollution controls to obtain cost-effective multi-pollutant benefits."
The coalition involves American Electric Power, Austin Energy, National Grid, PG&E, Public Service Enterprise Group, AES, American Honda, 3M, NRG Energy, Reliant Energy and Texas Industries.
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