High Court Approves EPA Rule Reducing Greenhouse Gases

Greenhouse gases will be categorized as a pollutant following the US Supreme Court's landmark notice approving the EPA rule. The gases harm the environment as they do not dissipate following release from a variety of common systems, including refrigeration and cooling units, fire protection systems, vehicles, power plants, and ventilation and air-conditioning systems. The gases build up and have been found to be responsible for adverse climate changes.

The new EPA rule states that greenhouse gases may endanger public health and welfare. The ruling gives the federal agency the power to enforce regulations under the U.S. Clean Air Act to control pollutants that cause global warming or deplete the ozone layer. This authority would be binding even if the U.S. Congress fails to act upon the issue.

The EPA rule underlines strict regulations on carbon dioxide emissions and greenhouse gases, as per the April 17, 2009 finding. The pollutants have been shown to cause harm to the environment and to the public and the endangerment ruling gives notice to those facilities that use certain chemicals that they must phase out and switch to environmentally friendly alternatives.

Following the U.S. Supreme Court approval of the EPA rule, the federal environmental agency has opened a 60-day public comment period on its findings on carbon dioxide emissions. After the comment period closes, the findings will be entered into the Federal Register, making the EPA legally required to implement its rules and regulations if the U.S. Congress has not enacted a law beforehand that deals with climate change.

It is now clear, following the recent EPA rule, the facilities who use environmentally harmful chemicals must accelerate the efforts to find efficient and cost-effective ways to both track and report emissions. The Obama administration and other global leaders have pledged to improve air quality and reduce global warming.

A huge amount of greenhouse gases are discharged in the United States, with more than 7,000,000,000 tons recorded each year. The EPA rule is aimed at reducing these harmful emissions and certain industries are the worst offenders. Facilities using refrigerant gas, industrial sources, motor vehicle production, coal-fired power plants — are all primary offenders.

Facilities are turning to vendors working in the energy management and asset procurement business, who haveproduced automated refrigerant tracking software. This software will allow them to conform with the previously approved EPA rule, ratified by the recent court ruling. Regulations limit the production and use of chlorofluorocarbons and hydrochlorofluorocarbons, found in refrigerant gas.

The EPA rule is in addition to the current phase out of refrigerant gases used in commercial cooling, air conditioning and fire suppression systems. Furthermore, the Obama administration is considering plans like a cap and trade system that would promote companies to invest in greener methods. Other ideas are a direct tax plan. The federal environmental agency will begin meeting the requirements necessary to issue its final ruling and propose environmental standards that entities must comply with in order to avoid being penalized or fined.

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