WASHINGTON, DC -- Rep. Edward Markey, Chairman of the House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming, today welcomed the 5-4 decision by the Supreme Court rebuffing the claims of the Bush Administration that it lacked authority to regulate the emission of gases endangering the planet from global warming.

The Supreme Court ruled on Monday that a U.S. government agency incorrectly determined it lacks the power to regulate greenhouse gas emissions that spur global warming and must re-examine the scientific evidence of a link between those gases and climate change.  The likelihood of man-made carbon emissions being the cause of global warming was recently found by a panel of experts to be 90 percent.

“This is a landmark decision,” said Markey.  “The scientific community, the public, and now the highest court in the nation have all called for action to confront the crisis of global warming. All the institutions of government are now moving towards recognition of the dangers of global warming, except the Bush Administration. The Administration needs to stop blocking progress in addressing this critical issue. The Court’s decision will also further turn up the heat on Congress to act on climate change legislation.”

Justice John Paul Stevens wrote for the majority.

That decision came in Massachusetts v. EPA (05-1120).

For further information, visit http://markey.house.gov/