EPA Rule Covering Greenhouse Gases Ratified by the EPA
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by: DanielStouffer | Total views: 78 | Word Count: 466
The EPA rule categorizing greenhouse gases as a pollutant has now been approved by the US Supreme Court. As these gases have found to be harmful to the climate, due to the inability to dissipate once released into the air, they will now be further regulated. The gases are found in ventilation and air conditioning systems, fire protection systems, vehicles, refrigeration and cooling units, power plants, and a number of other man-made processes.
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.
Passed on April 17, 2009, the EPA rule stresses strict regulations on carbon dioxide emissions and greenhouse gases. These offenders have been shown to harm the public and the environment and the endangerment finding puts those facilities that use certain chemicals on notice that they must begin phasing out usage and turning to alternatives.
The US Supreme Court's approval of the EPA rule has triggered a 60 day public comment period. Once these 60 days have passed, the findings would be entered into the Federal Register, which will force the EPA to implement the rules and regulations associated, if the U.S. Congress has not moved to enact a law by that time.
It is obvious from the recent EPA rule approval that facilities using environmentally harmful chemicals should start looking into efficient and cost effective ways to track and report their emissions. The Obama administration and many other global leaders are steadfast in their pledge to improve air quality and reduce global warming.
More than 7 billion tons of greenhouse gases are discharged in the United States each year. The EPA rule is designed to reduce these harmful emissions by targeting industries that are the worst offenders. Among them are coal-fired power plants, stationary pollutants, such as facilities using refrigerant gas, industrial sources and motor vehicles.
Following the previously approved EPA rule and this most recent court ruling, facilities are turning to software applications to assist them in their refrigerant tracking. Regulations insist that they track the use of hydrochlorofluorocarbons and chlorofluorocarbons, 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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Daniel Stouffer has a lot of information on the importance of the EPA rule and how the refrigerant-tracker will aid you.
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