Health Groups Oppose Effort to Overturn EPA Greenhouse Gas Ruling

Source: American Public Health Association Legislative Update, March 2010
Date: 3.9.10

Twelve health organizations joined together in sending a letter to all members of the United States Senate urging Senators to oppose a Resolution of Disapproval that has been introduced by Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) that would overturn the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) December 7, 2009 final endangerment finding on greenhouse gases. The endangerment finding which relates to six key greenhouse gases which contribute to climate change--carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and sulfur hexafluoride in the atmosphere--finds that current and future concentrations of these gases threaten the public health and welfare of Americans. The health effects of climate change include: increased likelihood of more frequent and intense heat waves, more wildfires, degraded air quality, more flooding, increased drought, more intense storms, harm to water resources and harm to agriculture. An April 2007 Supreme Court decision required EPA to make a determination of whether there was compelling scientific evidence that greenhouse gases threatened public health and welfare. The resolution introduced by Senator Murkowski would effectively block the EPA from regulating greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act.

You can view the letter spearheaded by APHA here.

You can view APHA's press release regarding the letter here.