EPA looks to revoke scientific finding that's basis for climate change

PORTLAND (WGME) — A scientific finding that serves as the legal basis for much of the government’s actions to fight climate change might be repealed.

This comes after the Environmental Protection Agency and the Trump Administration announced a decision Tuesday to revoke those findings.

The EPA has proposed to revoke the 2009 ‘endangerment finding,’ which determined greenhouse gases are a threat to public health.

One of the largest sources of direct green house gas emissions here in the United States is from burning fossil fuels for electricity, heat, and transportation.

The Supreme Court’s landmark decision in the Massachusetts v. EPA case states these greenhouse gases are pollutants under the Clean Air Act.

Now, the Trump Administration and the EPA want to reject the endangerment finding.

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree says this decision is upsetting to many.

“They are going after the science. They have already been trying to undo things like solar heat and wind energy and all kinds of renewable energy, but this is them being able to say we don’t need to regulate coal fired power plants anymore we want to go back to the pollution of the 70s and 80s and we want to increase this weather trajectory which is going on everyday that is very dangerous,” Pingree said.

This case led to the EPA’s 2009 ruling that outlines carbon dioxide, methane, and other greenhouse gases as threats to public health by contributing to extreme heat, storms, wildfires, and even diseases.

The Trump Administration argues the endangerment finding is a “flawed and an unorthodox way and didn’t stick to the Clean Air Act.”

Congresswoman Pingree says this decision will hurt the federal government’s ability to fight climate change now and in the future.

“Frankly, what it does is it unravels the scientific underpinning of climate change,” Pingree said. “It basically says that the administration no longer has a scientific reason to regulate greenhouse gases like methane or carbon dioxide.”

Congresswoman Pingree wants people to speak up about an issue that will affect future generations.

“I’d like to see this administration reverse this, realize it’s a bad idea, and listen to all those scientists around the world who think you will be endangering our children and grandchildren’s lives,” Pingree said.

The EPA’s decision must go through a review process before it’s finalized and will likely face legal challenges.