Jim Tankersley is reporting for the Los Angeles Times that the Chamber of Commerce would like to engage in a ‘“Scopes’-like hearing on the evidence that climate change is man-made.”The Chamber of Commerce is the nation’s largest business lobby and represents 3 million large and small businesses, so naturally the organization holds a lot of sway on Capitol Hill. The Chamber’s members are facing potentially broad and difficult emission regulations. According to the Tankersley article:
Chamber officials say it would be "the Scopes monkey trial of the 21st century" -- complete with witnesses, cross-examinations and a judge who would rule, essentially, on whether humans are warming the planet to dangerous effect. "It would be evolution versus creationism," said William Kovacs, the chamber's senior vice president for environment, technology and regulatory affairs. "It would be the science of climate change on trial."
The Chamber expects the EPA to deny the request, at which point they plan to file in federal court. Naturally, the EPA believes any such hearing or court action would be a ‘“waste of time”’ and ‘“frivolous.”’ EPA spokesman Brendan Gilfillan told the Times’ that global warming is a danger to public health based, ‘"on the soundest peer-reviewed science available, which overwhelmingly indicates that climate change presents a threat to human health and welfare."’
Tankersley also reports that:
Tankersley also reports that:
In the coming weeks, the EPA is set to formally declare that the heat-trapping gases scientists blame for climate change endanger human health, and are thus subject to regulation under the Clean Air Act. The so-called endangerment finding will be a cornerstone of the Obama administration's plan to set strict new emissions standards on cars and trucks.
The potential legislative and regulatory changes needed to address climate change is certainly controversial, and has drawn some concerns from even Democrats. Both farm-state Democrats and industrial-state Democrats have let the administration and Senate leadership know what the bill must do in order to get their support.
To read previous US Agricultural and Food Law and Policy Blog posts on this subject click here.
To read the Tankersley story click here.
Posted: 08/25/09
