Charlotte Observer Logo

EPA warned of global warming | Charlotte Observer

×
  • E-edition
  • Customer Service
  • Advertise
  • Newsletters

    • News
    • Local
    • Crime
    • Databases
    • Education
    • Election
    • Politics
    • Nation/World
    • Special Reports
    • North Carolina
    • South Carolina
    • Corrections
    • Columnists
    • Retro Charlotte
    • Your Schools
    • All Blogs & Columns
    • Sports
    • Carolina Panthers
    • Charlotte Hornets
    • That's Racin'
    • High Schools
    • College Sports
    • Charlotte Knights/MLB
    • Other Sports
    • Blogs & Columnists
    • Inside the Panthers
    • Inside the NBA
    • Prep Insiders
    • Scott Fowler
    • Tom Sorensen
    • All Blogs & Columns
    • Politics
    • Elections
    • The North Carolina Influencer Series
    • RNC 2020
    • Business
    • Banking
    • Stocks Center
    • Top Workplaces
    • National Business
    • What's in Store
    • Development
    • All Blogs & Columns
    • Living
    • Religion
    • Food & Drink
    • Health & Family
    • Home & Garden
    • CLT Style
    • Travel
    • Living Here Guide
    • Blogs & Columnists
    • I'll Bite
    • Kathleen Purvis
    • All Blogs & Columns
    • Arts/Culture
    • Events
    • Movie News & Reviews
    • Restaurants
    • Music/Nightlife
    • Television
    • Books
    • Comics
    • Puzzles & Games
    • Rewards
    • Blogs & Columnists
    • All Blogs & Columns
    • Opinion
    • Editorials
    • Influencers Opinion
    • Kevin Siers
    • Letters
    • Submit an Op-ed
    • Submit a Letter
    • Viewpoint
    • All Blogs & Columns
    • Blogs & Columnists
    • O-Pinion
    • You Write The Caption
    • Taylor Batten
    • Peter St. Onge
  • Celebrations
  • Obituaries
  • TV Listings

  • Public Notices
  • Cars
  • Jobs
  • Moonlighting
  • Virtual Career Fair
  • Homes
  • Classifieds
  • Place an ad
  • Mobile & Apps

  • MomsCharlotte
  • Carolina Bride Magazine
  • South Park Magazine

News

EPA warned of global warming

By Renee Schoof - McClatchy Newspapers

    ORDER REPRINT →

July 25, 2008 12:00 AM

The head of the Environmental Protection Agency told the Bush administration in December that high levels of man-made heat-trapping gases are causing global warming and endanger the American people, Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., said after she reviewed the EPA finding, which has not been made public.

The document is important because the Supreme Court ruled last year that if the EPA administrator finds greenhouse gases endanger the public, then the government must regulate them – a move the administration opposes.

“This is the strongest language I have ever seen or that you have ever seen, and they are trying to lock it away,” said Boxer, who took notes on the document and then shared them with reporters.

Boxer called for the document's publication, saying it represented the agency's most important work in many years.

Sign Up and Save

Get six months of free digital access to The Charlotte Observer

SUBSCRIBE WITH GOOGLE

#ReadLocal

“The document belongs in the hands of the American people,” she said.

The EPA sent the proposed finding to the White House in December in an e-mail, but the White House declined to open it, ensuring that it would not have to be made public.

It was not clear how the White House could not open the e-mail but nonetheless had the document to show to Boxer, other senators and staff for limited periods Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.

“I asked,” Boxer said. “Absolute silence.”

The 38-page document says EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson believes there is “compelling and robust” evidence that the increasing average global temperature that has been observed in recent years is due to man-made greenhouse gas emissions.

Greenhouse gases accumulate in the atmosphere and remain there for many decades. There is strong agreement among U.S. government scientists, academics and researchers worldwide that the gases are producing warming and that Earth could warm enough to cause unstoppable changes – such as oceans engulfing coastal regions where millions live – if emissions are left unchecked.

The EPA's document said the EPA chief “is proposing to find that elevated levels of GHG (greenhouse gas) concentrations may reasonably be anticipated to endanger public welfare.”

The Supreme Court ruled in April 2007 that the EPA must regulate emissions under the Clean Air Act if it finds the public is endangered. Boxer said the document should have been that trigger.

“This is huge,” she said.

Boxer said there were many more details in the document than she could convey through the notes.

  Comments  

Videos

Mine shaft found under Charlotte house

Take a walk around the security perimeter of the Spectrum Center for the All-Star game

View More Video

Trending Stories

NBA players urge Zion Williamson to shut it down after bizarre injury during UNC game

February 21, 2019 09:11 AM

Mine shaft found under Charlotte house could be 150-year-old tunnel to gold

February 21, 2019 12:20 PM

‘The Shoe Game.’ On UNC’s blowout Duke win, Zion Williamson and busted sneakers.

February 20, 2019 11:10 PM

Longtime grocer to close two more stores in the Charlotte area within weeks

February 21, 2019 04:57 PM

Investors bombard gentrifying areas in Charlotte with offers. But experts urge caution

February 20, 2019 12:34 PM

things to do

Read Next

Did a wolf or coyote kill NC teacher? DNA tests say maybe, but experts disagree

Local

Did a wolf or coyote kill NC teacher? DNA tests say maybe, but experts disagree

By Mark Price

    ORDER REPRINT →

February 22, 2019 07:44 AM

DNA says a wolf, coyote or dog killed 77-year-old teacher Brenda Hamilton on Feb. 15, as she was walking in Beaufort County, NC. Investigators are still searching for proof of what killed her.

KEEP READING

Sign Up and Save

#ReadLocal

Get six months of free digital access to The Charlotte Observer

SUBSCRIBE WITH GOOGLE

MORE NEWS

She killed her boyfriend then ate a burger. Now, at 72, she wants a new trial or death

South Carolina

She killed her boyfriend then ate a burger. Now, at 72, she wants a new trial or death

February 22, 2019 07:38 AM
The Latest: Colorado ‘red flag’ gun bill passes 1st hearing

News

The Latest: Colorado ‘red flag’ gun bill passes 1st hearing

February 22, 2019 01:36 AM

National

Boston police officer wounded in shootout with motorist

February 22, 2019 07:42 AM

National Business

China’s new policy against gender bias meets fans, sceptics

February 22, 2019 07:41 AM

World

Church of England says Sunday services no longer mandatory

February 22, 2019 07:41 AM
More civilians leave last IS-held pocket in eastern Syria

World

More civilians leave last IS-held pocket in eastern Syria

February 22, 2019 07:40 AM
Take Us With You

Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand.

Icon for mobile apps

Charlotte Observer App

View Newsletters

Subscriptions
  • Start a Subscription
  • Customer Service
  • eEdition
  • Vacation Hold
  • Pay Your Bill
  • Rewards
Learn More
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Newsletters
  • News in Education
  • Photo Store
Advertising
  • Information
  • Place a Classified
Copyright
Privacy Policy
Terms of Service


Back to Story