Any alleged Clean Air Act authority for EPA to regulate carbon dioxide is just that: alleged. |
The alleged authority simply does not exist. The Clean Air Act mentions CO2 but none of the references are in a regulatory context. There are no directives from Congress for EPA to use the Clean Air Act to settle what is essentially an international political issue. The panel decision grasped this reality, and the full court's decision to not get further involved is a reconfirmation that this an issue that is best addressed by Congress rather than a regulatory agency or the federal courts. |
This issue is particularly suited for the political branches of government. This is an issue of tremendous international political importance. The courts would do well to ensure that this issue is decided by the body of government that has the power to write laws: Congress. Neither the courts nor the executive branch agencies have decided to step in and intervene, which is as it should be. |