Ned Lamont, the governor of Connecticut, claims that the Trump administration is promoting increased pollution and disregarding the health of millions of Americans.
This is in reaction to the Environmental Protection Agency’s request to withdraw its own conclusion that greenhouse gas emissions pose a health risk to the general public.
According to a statement from Lamont, reversing these safeguards increases the chance that the negative impacts of greenhouse gas emissions will affect our communities, particularly our elderly, children, and vulnerable groups.
The Endangerment Finding, which was made in 2009, prompted the Clean Air Act to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from power plants, automobiles, and other sources of pollution.
On Tuesday, the EPA also advocated for the removal of tailpipe emissions restrictions that were intended to incentivize automakers to produce and market more electric cars. The biggest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in the US is the transportation industry.
“The largest deregulatory action in American history will be the repeal of the finding,” EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin stated on Tuesday.
On the conservative Ruthless podcast, Zeldin stated that some individuals are prepared to bankrupt the nation in the name of climate change. “After creating this endangerment finding, they were able to impose numerous laws on automobiles, aircraft, and stationary sources, thereby eradicating large sectors of our economy in many situations. And it was very expensive for Americans.
Before the EPA proposal is approved, probably next year, it must pass a rigorous review process that includes public participation. The rule change is likely to be challenged in court by environmental groups.
Repeal might harm the environment in Connecticut.
Commissioner Katie Dykes of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection said the action would make it more difficult for Connecticut to improve its air quality, which is among the worst in the country.
According to a statement from Dykes, greenhouse gas emissions, especially those from automobiles, contribute to air pollution that worsens respiratory illnesses and costs our state tens of millions of dollars annually in associated medical expenses.
According to Mark A. Boyer, a climate adaption expert and professor emeritus at the University of Connecticut, the removal of greenhouse gas emission laws will also hasten the effects of climate change, resulting in extreme weather throughout the state.
According to him, the effects of storm surge, sea level rise, and severe weather events will be more noticeable in coastal areas. There will be more flooding in the river valleys as well as other severe weather and rain-related incidents.
According to Boyer, you’re going to overrun a lot of the city’s infrastructure, which wasn’t designed to handle this amount of water during those weather events.
After a public comment period concludes on September 21, the EPA is anticipated to make a final decision on the proposal.
This report was contributed to by the Associated Press. Report for Americacorps member Ine Pennello writes about climate change and the environment for the Connecticut public.
