U.S. Chamber of Commerce seeks trial on global warming

A report by Jim Tankersley of the Los Angeles Times, "U.S. Chamber of Commerce seeks trial on global warming", says that the U.S. Chamber is trying to delay sweeping federal emissions regulations by pushing the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to hold an unprecedented public hearing on the science about man-made climate change. Tankersly writes:

"Chamber officials say it would be "the Scopes monkey trial of the 21st century" -- complete with witnesses, cross-examinations and a judge who would rule, essentially, on whether humans are warming the planet to dangerous effect.

'It would be evolution versus creationism,' said William Kovacs, the chamber's senior vice president for environment, technology and regulatory affairs. 'It would be the science of climate change on trial.' "

The chamber is trying to delay potential emissions regulations by attacking the alleged "scientific consensus" over climate change. It is expected that the EPA will deny the request, which will raise real doubts about the scientific basis for the regulations. The Chamber will then take the fight to federal court.

The L.A. Times reports, "EPA spokesman Brendan Gilfillan said the agency based its proposed finding that global warming is a danger to public health 'on the soundest peer-reviewed science available, which overwhelmingly indicates that climate change presents a threat to human health and welfare.' "

But the statement raises about the soundness of EPA's science if they are unwilling to present it in a public hearing.

At stake is the economic impact of the proposed regulations, which are expected to justify Congressional action on the Waxman-Markey Cap and Trade bill, known as "Cap and Tax" to the business community. The bill has the potential to drive up the cost of all American products, raising the cost of living in the U.S and making U.S. products less competitive in foreign markets.

Because of the potential economic consequences, the EPA and the Obama administration are expected to come under intense pressure to hold the hearings to demonstrate to the public the scientific basis for the proposed regulations. Failure to do so may evoke a public reaction similar to the protests that are endangering Obamacare.