Jeff Brady
👤 SpeakerAppearances Over Time
Podcast Appearances
The Trump administration last month repealed the endangerment finding, a 2009 decision that greenhouse gases from burning fossil fuels endanger public health and welfare.
It's the basis for much of the federal action that's been taken to rein in climate pollution.
Trump's Environmental Protection Agency concluded the EPA doesn't have legal authority to regulate greenhouse gases, even though the Supreme Court determined in 2007 it does.
This case likely will end up before the Supreme Court again with more conservative justices deciding the case this time.
President Trump wants to eliminate California's toughest in the nation car pollution standards, calling them an electric vehicle mandate.
The Federal Transportation Department is suing the California Air Resources Board, arguing it doesn't have authority to set car pollution standards.
California Democratic Senator Adam Schiff said the state will push back.
He criticized Trump for attacking pollution regulations, saying that hurts consumers and benefits oil companies.
The legal fight plays out as the Iran war has pushed up oil prices and prompted more drivers to consider going electric.
While the cars are more expensive, the fuel is cheaper.
Energy Star awards its blue and white logo to the most efficient appliances and buildings.
The Environmental Protection Agency has operated the program for more than three decades.
The Trump administration effort to end or privatize the program failed.
Congress specifically instructed that the EPA spend just over $33 million this year on Energy Star.
But now the EPA has signed an agreement to transfer responsibility to the Energy Department.
Green Building Council says EPA has been very successful in creating and managing Energy Star and is concerned about the administration abruptly moving the program after Congress showed bipartisan support for it.