Over half of the agency’s employees weigh in 1

Wow. Via jjwfmme in comments, it seems the rank and file at the EPA want to make their feelings about the CO2 issue crystal clear as it enters the Supreme Court:

In an unprecedented action, representatives for more than 10,000 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency scientists are calling on Congress to take immediate action against global warming, according to a petition released today by Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER). ...

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The petition signatories represent more than half of the total agency workforce. Addressed to the members of the Senate and House committees overseeing EPA, the petition argues that:

• The Bush administration strategy of "using primarily voluntary and incentive-based programs" to reduce greenhouse gases is not working nor "has [this approach] been effectively carried out;"
• EPA has abdicated its enforcement responsibilities by "failing to investigate coal-electric plants for technical options to control carbon;" and
• "EPA's scientists and engineers [must be able] to speak frankly and directly with Congress and the public regarding climate change, without fear of reprisal."

Here's the full petition (PDF) and a summary (PDF) from the coalition of EPA unions.

There's always been tension between the mid-level career staffers at various federal agencies and the political hacks the Bush administration has appointed to lead them, but this is ridiculous.

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