Over half of the agency’s employees weigh in

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:

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• 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.