Washington, D.C.--Congressman Eliot Engel expressed strong support for the recent announcement by the Obama Administration that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to regulate greenhouse gas emissions under the Clean Air Act.

The proposed rule would require new businesses, and businesses which modify their operations, and which annually emit 25,000 or more tons of greenhouse gas emissions, to adopt “Best Available Control Technology” to control those emissions.

“Like President Obama, I prefer a comprehensive legislative approach to regulating emissions and stemming global warming, but this issue is too important to ignore. The pollution reduction bill passed by the House was a step in the right direction, but I have repeatedly criticized it for not going far enough toward realizing America’s clean energy future. One of its shortcomings is that it would limit the EPA’s authority, under current law, to regulate emissions under the Clean Air Act. I am pleased to see the EPA exercising its legal authority to control emissions of greenhouse gases,” said Rep. Engel, a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

The 11-term Congressman added, “Now, while Congress crafts a bill to satisfy both the Senate and House Members, President Obama can go to the United Nations’ global warming summit in Denmark this December with a true commitment to the world that the United States is ready, willing and able to tackle this serious problem.”

The Supreme Court recently held that the Bush Administration’s failure to regulate greenhouse gas emissions under the Clean Air Act wasn’t justified. The Obama Administration has responded by announcing that it will regulate greenhouse gas emissions under the Clean Air Act.

Administration officials have stated that the proposed rule would affect about 14,000 large sources of carbon dioxide, most were already subject to clean-air permitting requirements because they emit other pollutants. By raising the standard to 25,000 tons, the new rule exempts millions of smaller sources of carbon dioxide emissions like bakeries, soft drink bottlers, dry cleaners and hospitals.

“I am pleased to see the Administration forging ahead on this issue, and I look forward to working with my colleagues and the Administration to reduce emissions for better health and a clean environment, while simultaneously promoting innovation and strengthening the economy,” said Rep. Engel.