U.S. Chamber challenges EPA to a “trial”

Sept. 8, 2009
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is pushing the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to hold a “trial-style” public hearing on the scientific evidence for man-made climate change, according to a recent article in the Los Angeles Times

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is pushing the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to hold a “trial-style” public hearing on the scientific evidence for man-made climate change, according to a recent article in the Los Angeles Times.

Arguing that the trial is the only way to "make a fully informed, transparent decision with scientific integrity based on the actual record of the science,” the Chamber hopes to fend off potential new emissions regulations by undercutting the scientific consensus over climate change. If the EPA denies the request as expected, the organization plans to take the fight to federal court.

EPA spokesman Brendan Gilfillan said the agency based its proposed finding that global warming is a danger to public health "on the soundest peer-reviewed science available, which overwhelmingly indicates that climate change presents a threat to human health and welfare.” Environmentalists say the Chamber's strategy is an attempt to sow political discord by challenging settled science.

EPA is reportedly set to formally declare that the heat-trapping gases scientists blame for climate change endanger human health, and are thus subject to regulation under the Clean Air Act. The so-called endangerment finding, expected in the coming weeks, will be a cornerstone of the Obama Administration's plan to set strict new emissions standards on cars and trucks.
About the Author

Wendy Leavitt

Wendy Leavitt joined Fleet Owner in 1998 after serving as editor-in-chief of Trucking Technology magazine for four years.

She began her career in the trucking industry at Kenworth Truck Company in Kirkland, WA where she spent 16 years—the first five years as safety and compliance manager in the engineering department and more than a decade as the company’s manager of advertising and public relations. She has also worked as a book editor, guided authors through the self-publishing process and operated her own marketing and public relations business.

Wendy has a Masters Degree in English and Art History from Western Washington University, where, as a graduate student, she also taught writing.  

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