Errington reacts to EPA Admin and Braun’s historic deregulatory initative

Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin and U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright visited Indianapolis to announce their proposal to repeal the EPA’s 2009 Endangerment Finding, which determined that greenhouse gases endanger public health and welfare. 

This move, which they touted as “one of the largest deregulation efforts in U.S. history,” would eliminate the foundation for regulating greenhouse gas emissions, including tailpipe emissions and threatens decades of progress on clean air and climate protections.

State Rep. Sue Errington (D-Muncie), Ranking Minority Member of the House Environmental Affairs Committee, issued the following statement:

“Today’s announcement from Gov. Mike Braun, made in collaboration with the nation’s top environmental officials, was nothing short of troubling. Calling this ‘deregulation’ is misleading. This is deletion. By repealing the 2009 Endangerment Finding, the EPA is erasing the protections that ensure our air is breathable, our summers bearable and communities safe.

“We are in the middle of a heat wave. Summers in Indiana are already hotter, longer and more dangerous than they were a decade ago. Eliminating greenhouse gas standards will only accelerate climate change and harm public health. Why would we take actions that make climate change worse and Hoosiers more vulnerable?

“Federal officials love to visit Indiana and talk about ‘commonsense’ reforms for health — whether it’s nutrition, health care or wellness programs. But how are Hoosiers supposed to stay healthy if they cannot even breathe clean air? Individual responsibility matters, yes, but when our institutions remove the basic safeguards for air and water, they are actively making people sicker.

“Indiana already faces significant environmental challenges, from industrial pollution to the growing water supply demands of data centers moving into the state. Weakening these protections will not make our communities safer, our air cleaner or our water more drinkable. It only benefits polluters while leaving taxpayers and future generations to bear the costs.

“Environmental protections, long supported on a bipartisan basis, are now being used as a political tool. Hoosiers deserve better than short-term political gain at the expense of our land, water and health.

“I strongly urge the EPA and Gov. Braun to reconsider this misguided effort and to prioritize public health, scientific integrity and environmental responsibility over following political whims. Indiana deserves more than greenwashed policies. Hoosiers deserve solutions that strengthen our communities, not jeopardize them.”

The EPA’s proposal is now open for 45 days of public comment. Hoosiers are encouraged to speak out against this dangerous rollback by submitting their comments at regulations.gov.