Washington, D.C.— Yesterday, the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it would revoke its 2009 “endangerment finding,” which confirmed six greenhouse gases as a threat to public health and allowed for their regulation to protect the wellbeing of all Americans and address the real threat of climate change. In response, U.S. Conference of Mayors CEO and Executive Director Tom Cochran released the following statement:
“Climate change is not a hoax, and we cannot pretend it doesn’t exist. It is real, and it is having serious and costly consequences for people living in American cities. For years, American mayors have partnered with the federal government to respond to the effects of climate change. EPA authorities serve as one of the most important tools we have to limit greenhouse gases in our cities. This decision is a major step backwards and will only make living in America less healthy, less safe, and more expensive.
“Cities have made tremendous progress advancing climate solutions that are both for our planet and our economies. We do not have to choose one or the other, but we simply cannot retreat. American mayors urge the Administration to reverse this decision and will continue to fight for federal policy that approaches climate change with the seriousness it deserves.”