WASHINGTON — The chief of the Environmental Protection Agency came under fire Tuesday from congressional Democrats, who said he had failed to respond more aggressively to the Supreme Court ruling that greenhouse gas emissions could be federally regulated.
EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson's appearance before a Senate committee spotlighted the clashes to come between Democratic leaders who want to pass global warming legislation and an administration that resists mandatory limits on carbon emissions out of fear they would damage the economy.
The hearing also showed that, despite the Supreme Court ruling, it might take congressional action -- rather than an EPA initiative -- to establish nationwide regulations on carbon dioxide emissions.
Johnson would not say when or whether his agency would regulate emissions.
"We will move expeditiously, but we will move responsibly," he told the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.
The panel's Democrats, led by Chairwoman Barbara Boxer of California, chided Johnson for lacking urgency in confronting global warming.
"There is no excuse for delay," she said.
It was the first Capitol Hill hearing on the ruling since the court declared this month that the EPA had authority under the Clean Air Act to regulate carbon dioxide emissions that contribute to global warming.
The White House had disputed that position, and Democrats were clearly dismayed that, in their view, the administration was not quickly altering its policy.
Johnson said he was considering California's request to implement a law requiring automakers to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in new vehicles. He set May 22 for a public hearing in Washington and June 15 as the deadline for public comment on the state's request.
But he declined to say whether he would approve the state's request, drawing criticism from one environmental group.
"Icebergs are moving faster than EPA," Karen Douglas, director of the California climate initiative for Environmental Defense, said in a statement.
As to whether the EPA will regulate carbon emissions nationwide, Johnson said the agency must first determine whether greenhouse gas emissions endanger public health or welfare.
That remark drew criticism.
"Surely, you acknowledge that global warming does endanger public health," Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) said.
