US to regulate greenhouse gas emissions
Published:Monday | December 7, 2009 | 6:30 PM
The US has declared greenhouse gases harmful to human health, paving the way for the regulation of emissions without the backing of Congress.
Lisa Jackson of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says the entity is now authorised and obligated to make reasonable efforts to cut greenhouse gases.
The EPA will now be able to act, even if Congress fails to pass legislation.
The announcement comes amid global climate talks in Copenhagen.
The US House of Representatives passed a bill in June that’s aimed at capping greenhouse gas emissions and the establishment of a national carbon trading scheme.
The progress of a similar bill through the Senate is not likely before March at the earliest.