EPA Takes Initial Steps Toward Regulating Greenhouse Gas Emissions From Aircraft

Action Item: As a first step towards regulating aircraft emissions that contribute to climate change or emit greenhouse gas pollutants, the EPA has proposed to find that some greenhouse gas emissions from certain aircraft engines contribute to air pollution that endangers public health and welfare under section 231(a) of the Clean Air Act. Towards that goal, the EPA has issued an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that establishes the process for regulating these emissions, in coordination with the FAA and ICAO. The public comment period is until August 30, 2015.

Executive Summary

On June 10, 2015, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA"), Gina McCarthy, proposed to find that greenhouse gas ("GHG") emissions from certain aircraft engines contribute to air pollution that endangers public health and welfare under section 231(a) of the Clean Air Act, and to issue an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking ("ANPRM") that establishes the