Kucinich Urges EPA Let California Control Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Ohio Democratic congressman Dennis Kucinich's congressional website http://kucinich.house.gov/ posted the following press release.

Kucinich Urges EPA Let California Control Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Washington, Jun 16 - WASHINGTON, D.C. — Six term Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich of Ohio has asked the United States EPA to approve California's request to set its own standards for greenhouse gas emissions. Under the Clean Air Act, the EPA can grant permission to California to set air quality standards in the interest of protecting public health and the environment.

"California is entitled to step forward to regulate greenhouse gases, especially when the EPA is not doing its job. The EPA must grant California a waiver. Another eleven states are prepared to take responsibility for reductions in greenhouse gases. Unfortunately reducing greenhouse gas is not a priority of the Bush Administration. They clearly do not want to do exercise responsibility or authority. They must permit those states that are prepared to protect public health and the environment, as is California, to act," Kucinich said.

Kucinich acted in response to a request by California Attorney General Jerry Brown. Kucinich spoke with Brown today. He and Brown worked together to promote progressive environmental policies at the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, South Africa in the summer of 2002.