New York AG Cuomo Demands That Bush Stop Foot-Dragging And Comply With Supreme Court’s Ruling On Global Warming

NEW YORK (April 2, 2008) – New York State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo today announced he is taking action against the EPA. Cuomo commenced action, joining the Attorneys General of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and 15 additional states in filing a lawsuit demanding that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) comply with the Supreme Court’s decision holding that the Agency has the authority to regulate global warming pollution under the Clean Air Act.

A traffic jam in Manhattan: Photo by carthesian (CC)

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“Despite clear directions a year ago from the highest court in the land, the EPA has failed to move forward on combating global warming. The EPA’s foot-dragging would not be tolerated from any other defendant that failed to comply with a court order,” said Cuomo. “Global warming is one of the most critical environmental problems of our generation, posing huge risks to our environment, health, and economy, both globally and right here in New York. We all know that global warming is dangerous -- it’s beyond dispute. But a year after the Supreme Court’s decision, the EPA refuses to acknowledge even this simple truth.”

A year ago today, the Supreme Court issued a landmark decision in Commonwealth of Massachusetts v. EPA, holding that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has the authority to regulate global warming pollution under the Clean Air Act.

The Supreme Court directed the EPA to start by issuing a decision (called an “endangerment determination”), based on scientific evidence, on whether global warming is dangerous. The EPA has failed to take even this simple step.

“There is no justification for the EPA’s continued flouting of the Supreme Court’s decision other than the Bush administration’s deliberate inaction. The EPA must finally end its foot-dragging, do its job, and move forward to address global warming pollution,” added Cuomo.

The lawsuit, filed in the United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, demands that the EPA take action to comply with the Supreme Courts decision by issuing the endangerment determination within 60 days.

Source: New York Attorney General