Trump to Revoke Key Climate Science Ruling, Putting US Emissions Limits at Risk

The administration’s draft proposal, which elicited more than half a million public comments, asserts that greenhouse gases should not be treated as pollutants in the traditional sense because their effects on human health are indirect and global rather than local.  

Regulating them within US borders, it contends, cannot meaningfully resolve a worldwide problem. 

The report was quickly panned by researchers, who said it was riddled with errors and, in some cases, misrepresented the very studies it cited.

Environmental groups sued, alleging the panel was convened behind closed doors in violation of federal rules, and Energy Secretary Chris Wright later disbanded the group.

The administration has claimed repealing the endangerment finding would generate more than $1 trillion in regulatory savings, without detailing how the figure was calculated. It has also said it would lower new car costs.

Environmental advocates counter by ignoring the other side of the ledger, including lives saved from reduced pollution and fuel savings from more efficient vehicles.

They also warn the rollback would further skew the market toward more gas-guzzling cars, undermining the American autor industry’s ability to compete in the global race toward electric vehicles.

Critics are awaiting the final text but say they are confident it will not survive in court.

(This article has been sourced from AFP.)