EPA to defer greenhouse gas permitting

WASHINGTON, Jan. 12 (UPI) -- Greenhouse gas permitting requirements for carbon dioxide emissions from U.S. industries using biomass fuels have been deferred, the federal government said.

The Environmental Protection Agency said it would use the three-year deferral to seek more independent scientific analysis on the issue before developing rules on how the emissions should be treated when determining whether a Clean Air Act permit is required, the agency said Wednesday in a news release.

"We are working to find a way forward that is scientifically sound and manageable for both producers and consumers of biomass energy. In the coming years we will develop a commonsense approach that protects our environment and encourages the use of clean energy," EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson said. "Renewable, homegrown power sources are essential to our energy future, and an important step to cutting the pollution responsible for climate change."

The agency soon will issue guidance to provide a basis state or local permitting authorities may use to conclude that the use of biomass as fuel is the best available control technology for greenhouse gas emissions until the EPA can complete action on the three-year deferral, Jackson said.