Environmental Defense email re: SCOTUS rulings:

[pinto]

** BREAKING NEWS **
Supreme Court Victories Bolster Our Campaign to
Fight Global Warming and Clean America's Air Pollution

Supreme Court rulings are huge victories for the environment.

Dear Friend,

We have incredible news.

In a groundbreaking decision, the Supreme Court ruled today that the federal government has the authority under the Clean Air Act to regulate America's global warming pollution.

This ruling affirms what Environmental Defense has believed for a long time: carbon dioxide is a pollutant and the Environmental Protection Agency should exercise its existing authority to reduce global warming emissions.

As historic as this ruling is, it does not require the EPA to take action. That is why we need Congress to pass a strong national cap on America's global warming pollution.

In a separate decision, the Supreme Court also ruled 9-0 against Duke Energy in a case that tested whether power plants are required to install pollution control equipment on aging coal-fired power plants.

Environmental Defense was a plaintiff in both cases.

You can read more background on the global warming case and the Duke Energy case.
http://action.environmentaldefense.org/ct/9dSpx4F1NmyW/

The global warming ruling in particular is a significant victory and the latest sign of momentum in our efforts to cap America's global warming pollution.

>In January, 10 major companies joined Environmental Defense and three other environmental organizations to call for a mandatory national cap on global warming pollution.

>In February, energy giant TXU agreed to scrap plans to build 8 of 11 proposed coal-fired power plants in a buyout agreement Environmental Defense helped broker.

>Several weeks ago, Maryland became the 12th state to pass state legislation curbing global warming pollution from vehicles sold in the state, with another 7 states considering similar legislation.

Everywhere you look, we're seeing historic progress. States are acting, businesses are joining the effort, now the Supreme Court has recognized the risk of global warming. But none of this will mean much unless we pass a strong mandatory national cap on global warming pollution.

We'll keep you updated with further developments in the days and weeks ahead.

In the meantime, once again, thank you for all that you do to support our work. These are historic victories for the environment, and you're a big part of the success.

Thank you,

Environmental Defense Action Network

http://www.environmentaldefense.org/home.cfm

[july302001]

1. Important Supreme Court decision

This decision on auto emissions and the other one on coal emissions are important.

Maybe we'll finally see fewer hog SUVs in the showrooms....about time.