Oregon Public Broadcasting

Exactly one year ago Wednesday the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that greenhouse gases, like carbon dioxide, are pollutants which could be regulated under the Clean Air Act.  As Andrew Theen reports, some state leaders say the Environmental Protection Agency is ignoring the court.

Oregon Attorney General Hardy Myers joined 16 of his colleagues, environmental advocacy groups and others in calling for immediate action by the EPA.

The ruling last year said the EPA has to determine whether carbon dioxide is a danger to public health.  If a danger exists, the EPA would have to regulate sources of CO2 emissions.

Myers said EPA staffers did file a report on the dangers of greenhouse gases, but it went nowhere.

Hardy Myers: "That determination was sent over to the White House, the office of Management and Budget, and it has been stalled at that point since then."

EPA officials say they are taking on "all sources" of greenhouse gases, not just cars and trucks, and they are not seeking a hasty solution.