EPA Stands by Climate Action in Face of Polluter Pushback

The Environmental Protection Agency reaffirmed its commitment to climate action today, denying 10 petitions attacking climate science. The challenges sought to reverse the EPA’s 2009 determination that global warming is real, is occurring due to emissions of greenhouse gases from human activities, and threatens human health and the environment.

Before he joined the National Wildlife Federation, NWF Global Warming Policy Director Joe Mendelson developed the first legal case seeking the regulation of greenhouse gas emissions under the Clean Air Act. He served as co-counsel throughout the case as it was argued before the Supreme Court, resulting in the landmark global warming ruling of Massachusetts v. EPA. Here’s what Joe had to say about today’s EPA decision:

Today’s action shows that the Environmental Protection Agency will not be bullied by Big Oil and King Coal. With the Senate stalled, it’s critical that the EPA hold the line against unchecked carbon pollution. While EPA action can deliver short-term pollution cuts, long-term efforts remain dependent on Congressional action to cut America’s carbon pollution by the amount scientists say is necessary to avoid the worst effects of global warming.

Of course, big polluters don’t care about protecting America’s natural resources, creating clean energy jobs, or cutting consumers’ energy bills through more efficient technology. Big Oil and King Coal don’t want to be held accountable for their pollution and will dig into their wallets and mobilize their army of lobbyists to fight EPA at every turn.

The National Wildlife Federation will fight tooth and nail against polluter-backed challenges in Congress to EPA action. Senators backing efforts to handcuff the EPA like the Murkowski amendment and Sen. Rockefeller’s bill say they prefer Congress to take the lead – but they seem far more interested in obstruction than action.

Please take a moment to tell your senators to protect Americans, our wildlife & the places we love from global warming.