WASHINGTON - April 17 - Statement of Mark Wenzler, Director of Clean Air and Climate Programs, National Parks Conservation Association:

"We applaud U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson for taking the first step today toward regulating carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases.  For years, our national parks have clearly demonstrated the effects of climate change, from disappearing glaciers in Glacier National Park to record floods in Mount Rainier National Park and dwindling wolf and moose populations in Isle Royale National Park on Lake Superior.

"With this decision, the Obama Administration has shown it is living up to its commitment to make decisions based on sound science. We hope Congress will take up this work now, and pass a strong clean energy and jobs legislation that will reduce our nation's greenhouse gas emissions and alleviate the impacts of global warming on our nation, including our national parks."

For more information on the impact of climate change on national parks, visit http://www.npca.org/globalwarming/

For more information on EPA's proposed findings about greenhouse gas emissions, visit the agency's web site at: http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/0/0EF7DF675805295D8525759B00566924