Pallone Blasts Trump Administration for Repealing Endangerment Finding
"This action is the direct result of having corrupt, dishonest grifters running the White House and EPA, whose only priority is lining the pockets of their wealthy corporate polluter friends."
Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) released the following statement today on the Trump Administration finalizing the repeal of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) longstanding and legally affirmed “endangerment finding,” the scientific finding that climate pollution harms human health and the environment under the Clean Air Act:
“This action is the direct result of having corrupt, dishonest grifters running the White House and EPA, whose only priority is lining the pockets of their wealthy corporate polluter friends. It is dangerous for Americans’ health, will result in higher food and electricity prices, and will put homeownership even further out of reach as unchecked climate pollution wreaks havoc on property values, insurance rates, and jobs. It’s a lose-lose for middle class families and an absolute coup for Trump’s wealthy corporate buddies who are being allowed to run roughshod over our country.
“And let’s be clear: EPA’s move to revoke the endangerment finding has absolutely no basis in law, science, or reality. EPA is required by law to protect Americans from air pollution that endangers their health and welfare, and that includes greenhouse gases. EPA is abandoning this responsibility and replacing it with nothing, all but ensuring that the climate crisis gets far worse. For the sake of the health and livelihoods of all Americans, I will not rest until this outrageous repeal is reversed.”
Under the Clean Air Act, EPA is required to set protections for pollution that “endanger public health or welfare.” In 2007, the Supreme Court affirmed in Massachusetts v. EPA that greenhouse gases are air pollutants under the Act. In 2009, EPA determined that climate pollution is a threat to public health and welfare and therefore must be limited. This finding is based on science and has been affirmed by the courts.
This is the first time that EPA has sought to reverse the endangerment finding. If successful, this move will strip away longstanding public health and environmental protections that keep Americans safe. E&C Democrats blasted EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin over the matter last year.
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