WASHINGTON, Aug. 28 (UPI) -- In a controversial move, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced Thursday it will not regulate greenhouse gas emissions from motor vehicles.
The notice denies a petition to regulate such emissions under the Clean Air Act. The petition was filed by the International Center for Technology Assessment and a number of other organizations.
The EPA, in a statement, said it denied the petition for two primary reasons: Congress has not granted it authority to regulate carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases for climate change purposes and the EPA has determined setting such emission standards for motor vehicles is not appropriate at this time.
Jeff Holmstead, the agency's assistant administrator for air and radiation, said: "Congress must provide us with clear legal authority before we can take regulatory action to address a fundamental issue such as climate change. We cannot try to use the Clean Air Act to regulate for climate change purposes because the Act was not designed or intended for that purpose."
He added: "Regulating the transportation sector for climate change purposes would have enormous economic, practical, and societal impacts."
