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US states ask EPA to control pollution emitted by aircraft

A coalition of US states and environmental groups is urging the federal government to curb global warming pollution from planes and other aircraft.

California, Connecticut, New Jersey, New Mexico, Pennsylvania as well as the District of Columbia were to file a petition yesterday asking the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from domestic and foreign aircraft departing or landing at US airports.

"We want the EPA to take their head out of the sand and actively promulgate rules to reduce greenhouse gas emissions," California Attorney General Jerry Brown said. "The EPA has taken a very passive and unimaginative approach to combating global warming."

Aviation is responsible for about 3 percent of the US' overall carbon dioxide emissions, and the Federal Aviation Administration expects domestic aircraft emissions to rise by 60 percent by 2025, according to the petition.

The petition asks the EPA to develop rules to reduce aircraft emissions by requiring operators to boost fuel efficiency, use cleaner fuels or build lighter, more aerodynamic airplanes.
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