The US Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, is closing in on a decision to regulate greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane under the Clean Air Act. The EPA was forced to the initiate the rulemaking procedure following the Supreme Court's decision in Massachusetts vs. EPA.

The decision, which could regulate greenhouse gas emissions and impose a tax on such emissions, is prompting a strong reaction from industries including agriculture, automotive and manufacturing that could have their cost of business rise substantially,

On July 30, a formal public comment opportunity on the subject began that closed last week. The EPA will consider the public comments before making a final ruling.

The agriculture industry is fearful of instituting a greenhouse gas tax as cattle, swine and hogs, are considerable emitters of the greenhouse gas methane. Taxing companies for their emissions could result in higher meat prices for consumers who are already financially distressed due to the deteriorating economy.

Ranchers, who have lobbied hard against a tax, are concerned that they could get hit with a double whammy. Will they have to base their emissions on both those emitted from livestock and for the travel required to transport the meat to markets?

These and many other protocols will be considered by the EPA over the coming weeks. New leadership in the EPA, which will like change with the incoming Obama administration, would be more likely to strongly regulate greenhouse gases.

In public comments to EPA, many consumers encouraged regulation of greenhouse gases, despite the potential price implications.

Companies would have incentive to develop greener products. For example, agriculture ranchers could capture methane generated by livestock and turn it into energy, all the while reducing atmospheric emissions, and generating a new source of income. This is the creative thinking Americans are demanding.