NEW YORK – The ongoing battle over climate policy has taken a significant turn as New York Attorney General Letitia James spearheads an initiative challenging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposal to revoke its critical 2009 Endangerment Finding. This landmark decision had previously established that greenhouse gas emissions are a primary driver of climate change, posing a severe threat to public health and welfare. The coalition, led by Attorney General James, warns that this proposal could severely undermine national efforts to combat climate change by neglecting the regulation of harmful air pollutants.
Attorney General James stated, “Climate change is real, it is dangerous, and it is already hurting communities in New York and across the nation.” She criticized the EPA’s proposal as a dismissal of scientific evidence and a failure to protect public health, emphasizing that such rollbacks could exacerbate conditions like asthma, heart disease, and premature deaths, particularly affecting vulnerable communities.
The coalition presented their arguments in a formal letter to the EPA, arguing that rescinding the Endangerment Finding contravenes established law, Supreme Court precedent, and scientific consensus. The coalition highlighted potential risks to millions of Americans, including children, the elderly, and low-income populations, who are disproportionately affected by climate change and air pollution. They cited extreme weather events, such as heatwaves, storms, wildfires, and floods, as pressing threats that would be exacerbated by the removal of these protections under the Clean Air Act.
In a second letter, the coalition underscored the necessity of maintaining robust federal vehicle emissions standards. These standards have historically mitigated health issues related to vehicle pollution, such as asthma and heart disease, and are projected to prevent substantial carbon emissions and climate-related damages. The coalition argues that diminishing these standards would not only violate the Clean Air Act but also stifle innovation and disadvantage U.S. automakers in an evolving global market focused on low-emission vehicles.
Attorney General James also led a coalition in contesting a report from the DOE’s Climate Working Group, which supports the EPA’s proposal. The coalition criticized the report for lacking scientific integrity and peer review, urging its withdrawal due to inaccuracies and mischaracterizations. Additionally, an amicus brief was filed, challenging the use of such findings in shaping climate policy.
Attorney General James stresses the urgent need for climate action, noting the doubling of billion-dollar climate disasters in New York over the past two decades and a significant increase in fatalities due to extreme weather events. The coalition, comprising attorneys general from states such as California, Connecticut, and Massachusetts, along with legal officers from major cities, collectively urges the EPA to reconsider its proposal and adhere to its obligations under the Clean Air Act.
Joining this endeavor are the attorneys general from a diverse range of states, including Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, and others, alongside chief legal officers from cities like Denver, San Francisco, and Chicago, forming a united front against the EPA’s proposed policy changes.
Original Story at ag.ny.gov