EPA’s attempt to eliminate dozens of clean air regulations would harm Americans
WASHINGTON – Today, the new administration’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced its intent to eliminate dozens of regulations that support clean air and public health, a misguided and likely unlawful effort that would needlessly harm Americans. Included among the list is a reconsideration of the endangerment finding, the landmark scientific and legal determination that climate pollution harms public health and welfare.
“Today’s announcement could put millions of Americans’ health in jeopardy and is antithetical to the EPA’s core mission to protect human health and the environment,” said Conrad Schneider, Senior Director, U.S. at Clean Air Task Force. “The science is clear; regulations under the Clean Air Act are critical to protecting our communities by reducing air pollution that harms public health. Deregulating emissions from power plants, oil and gas facilities, cars, trucks, and more, is a dangerous and erroneous action that will hurt Americans’ safety and wellbeing.”
“The unraveling of public health protections will have dire consequences for communities across the country,” said Shaun Goho, Legal Director at CATF. “Included in today’s deregulatory agenda was the reconsideration of the endangerment finding – the linchpin of many climate regulations. EPA was correct on both the facts and the law when it concluded back in 2009 that greenhouse gas emissions endanger public health and the environment. This signal to deregulate air pollution is diametrically opposed to the obligation the EPA has to protect public health. But the scientific evidence and legal record speak for themselves, and this is just the beginning of a process that EPA must follow before finalizing these changes. CATF will defend the law and science to defend these essential climate and public health protections.”
Press Contact
Samantha Sadowski, Senior Communications Manager, U.S., ssadowski@catf.us, +1 202-440-1717
About Clean Air Task Force
Clean Air Task Force (CATF) is a global nonprofit organization working to safeguard against the worst impacts of climate change by catalyzing the rapid development and deployment of low-carbon energy and other climate-protecting technologies. With more than 25 years of internationally recognized expertise on climate policy and a fierce commitment to exploring all potential solutions, CATF is a pragmatic, non-ideological advocacy group with the bold ideas needed to address climate change. CATF has offices in Boston, Washington D.C., and Brussels, with staff working virtually around the world. Visit catf.us and follow @cleanaircatf.
