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Greenhouse Gas Endangerment Finding Proposed
Author(s) -
Pontius Fred
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
journal ‐ american water works association
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.466
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1551-8833
pISSN - 0003-150X
DOI - 10.1002/j.1551-8833.2009.tb09903.x
Subject(s) - greenhouse gas , nitrous oxide , environmental science , fugitive emissions , methane , atmosphere (unit) , carbon dioxide , major stationary source , air pollutants , waste management , environmental engineering , air pollution , environmental protection , engineering , chemistry , ecology , meteorology , geography , biology , organic chemistry
On April 24, 2009, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) proposed to find that greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere endanger the public health and welfare of current and future generations. Section 202 of the Clean Air Act (CAA) sets motor vehicle emissions and fuel standards. This article discusses how a positive finding for endangerment to human health and/or welfare from GHGs would trigger first‐time rules to limit the pollutants from mobile as well as stationary sources. The finding is specific to six GHGs: carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and sulfur hexafluoride. The USEPA is also proposing to find that the combined emissions of carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and hydrofluorocarbons from new motor vehicles and new motor vehicle engines are contributing to GHGs in the atmosphere.