Green groups sue U.S. EPA over global warming

WASHINGTON, Dec 5, 2002; Reuters reported that three environmental groups sued the Environmental Protection Agency on Thursday in a bid to force it to combat global warming by limiting air pollution from U.S. automobiles.

The groups -- the International Center for Technology Assessment, Sierra Club and Greenpeace -- said they filed suit in U.S. district court because EPA was dawdling over their 1999 petition, which said the EPA must use the Clean Air Act against "greenhouse" gases from cars. They asked a judge to order EPA to respond to the petition within 60 days.

"We think the situation, of global warming, requires action," said Joseph Mendelson, ICTA legal director. "We think we have a very strong case" because the Clean Air Act gives EPA the power to act on pollutants harmful to people.

An EPA spokeswoman declined to comment on the lawsuit or to discuss EPA's handling of the petition.

The three groups petitioned EPA on Oct. 20, 1999, to reduce carbon dioxide and greenhouse gas emissions from motor vehicles. EPA accepted comments on the petition from January-May 23, 2001. The lawsuit said there has been no action since, although federal agencies are required to decide matters "within a reasonable time."

Environmentalists have said the Bush administration is unwilling to act on global warming despite acknowledging its threat. Last year, President George W. Bush withdrew the United States from the so-called Kyoto treaty on global warming. He said the treaty would hurt the U.S. economy and would rely on voluntary efforts to reduce pollution.