EPA Administrator Addresses Recent Regulatory Changes

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) administrator recently engaged in a discussion with CNN’s Kasie Hunt during an episode of “State of the Union.” A key topic was the EPA’s decision to officially close its 2009 Obama-era danger discovery, which paves the way for the agency to regulate greenhouse gases.

In her opening remarks, Hunt criticized the changes made by the EPA, displaying images of a power plant behind her. She pressed Zeldin, asking if he acknowledged the widespread scientific consensus on greenhouse gas emissions being the primary cause of human-induced climate change.

In response, Zeldin pointed out that the images shown during the segment were unrelated to the week’s announcement. He clarified that the 2009 danger discovery was primarily about mobile source vehicles, not stationary sources like power plants. He explained that the science reviewed back in 2009 focused on a particularly negative outlook regarding climate data.

Zeldin elaborated on the implications of the EPA’s recent decision to roll back the 2009 findings. He mentioned during the interview that regulations tend to burden consumers in terms of cost, but also restrict options for vehicle choices. Eliminating those regulations could allow consumers more freedom and potentially reduce expenses.

He emphasized that the agency’s approach would shift focus from the “pessimistic views of 2009” to more current data available in 2025. Zeldin also remarked on the limitations imposed by the Supreme Court, indicating that vague language in laws cannot be manipulated and that Congress must pass defined statutes.

Discussion regarding the rollback of the 2009 findings has been ongoing since March, with collaborations involving the Office of Management and Budget and various federal agencies. By June 30, the EPA had submitted the necessary regulation request related to these changes.