Senate Defeats Resolution Challenging EPA Authority on Greenhouse Gasses
On June 10, the Senate declined to consider a resolution introduced by Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska disapproving of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulation of greenhouse-gas emissions by 47-53. This dangerous resolution would have put the Senate on record in favor of blocking the EPA from regulating greenhouse-gas emissions under the Clean Air Act.
The resolution challenged EPA’s findings, issued on December 7, 2009, which state that six key greenhouse gases are a threat to public health and welfare. Science shows that greenhouse gases are the major force behind climate change. Nurses recognize the major health and safety implications of climate change, including: severe weather events and injuries from these events, increased heat-related illnesses and vector-transmitted diseases, and threatened food and water supplies. Nurses support and advocate for public policies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the recognition of the novel, global challenges expected as climate change evolves.
ANA has been engaged in advocacy around global warming related issues since the passage of a 2008 House of Delegates Resolution on Climate Change, and sent a letter to the Senate urging opposition to the amendment.
Tags: Clean Air Act, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), June 2010
