White House spokesman Robert Gibbs is denying suggestions that the timing of the Environmental Protection Agency’s decision to regulate carbon dioxide as a dangerous pollutant had anything to do with President Obama’s upcoming appearance at the Copenhagen global warming summit. After all, Obama can now tell the summit that his administration will crack down on carbon dioxide emissions even if Congress fails pass a cap-and-trade bill.
At today’s briefing, one reporter said the timing of the EPA decision “looks politically convenient.” Gibbs responded that the EPA decision was set in motion by a 2007 Supreme Court decision, Massachusetts v. EPA, and had nothing to do with the president’s upcoming trip. “The timing is based on the fact that the first step of this process is being completed,” Gibbs said.
Later, another reporter tried again. “On the EPA issue, will the negotiators who are there now and President Obama when he arrives next week not mention the fact that if legislation to cut greenhouse gases does not come through the Senate next year, that they have this in their hand as a backup?” the reporter asked.
“Again…that process was set in motion by the Supreme Court’s ruling on a lawsuit in 2007,” Gibbs responded.
“But it’s nice to have the EPA in your back pocket,” the reporter said.
“Again, this was set in motion, what, more than — almost two years ago,” Gibbs said. “This was set by a court two years ago.”
Gibbs also said the Climategate email scandal will have no effect on Obama’s push in Copenhagen. When asked whether the scandal “should slow the momentum in any way, shape, or form?” Gibbs responded, “It shouldn’t, because the science is clear.”
“And settled?” Gibbs was asked.
“And settled.”
