EPA Carbon Pollution Rollback Could Bring “Catastrophic Consequences,” Advocates Warn

Environmental advocates warn that the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed rule changes could increase climate pollution and harm communities across the United States. Brett Korte, senior staff attorney at Clean Wisconsin, said he is preparing for “catastrophic consequences” if the rollback is left unchecked.

Wisconsin faces higher risks from extreme weather and pollution

“Here in Wisconsin, we have warm winters with less snow and ice, more extremely hot summer days, and more frequent extreme weather events like floods and tornadoes due to climate change,” Korte said. “Moreover, Wisconsin has the ninth-highest death rate from particulate pollution from fossil fuel combustion. These problems will only get worse if EPA abdicates its responsibility to regulate carbon pollution.”

Vicki Patton, general counsel for the Environmental Defense Fund, said the EPA’s timing could not be worse. She warned that without court intervention, communities could experience unnecessary deaths.

“More Americans than ever before are suffering from dangerous heat and more powerful storms caused by that pollution, and are facing rising insurance premiums and health care costs as a result,” Patton said.

Patton predicted that the EPA’s proposed rule changes, which currently increase climate pollution from power plants, “will cause thousands of premature deaths and billions of dollars in additional medical costs.”

“We have a case in court; [the] EPA is fulfilling its responsibilities under our nation’s Clean Air Act to protect Americans from this harmful pollution and address the health risks and economic costs to people across the country,” Patton said.

EPA public hearings and comment period

Opinions have been divided on previous rule changes, and the EPA continues to seek public input. The agency is scheduled to hold public hearings on the proposed repeal later this month, with the public comment period extending through October.

Submit comments through the EPA’s Regulations.gov docket.