The federal government is rolling back greenhouse gas regulations. What's it mean, and what's Washington doing?

Last week, President Trump announced he was overturning the Environmental Protection Agency’s  "endangerment finding.” That finding is a scientific conclusion signed by the EPA in 2009. It determined that greenhouse gases are harmful to people and the environment, and it allowed the EPA to regulate heat trapping emissions like carbon dioxide and methane. 

The current Presidential administration says that climate change is a “hoax” and that environmental regulations hinder the economy.  

Current EPA head Lee Zeldin is praising the move by Trump. Environmental activists and democratic lawmakers took no time to denounce the decision, saying that it will harm public health and lead to intensifying climate change related catastrophes, such as wildfires, heatwaves, and flooding.

And, of course, there’s a court challenge. 

California Governor Gavin Newsom stated that California intends to sue the federal government over this change – potentially leading to a drawn out, years long battle to determine what the EPA can and cannot do when it comes to greenhouse gas regulation. Washington attorney general Nick Brown has promised something similar.

But how could its repeal change climate science and policy in the United States? And what does it mean for Washington?

Guests:

• David Battisti - Professor of Atmospheric and Climate Science and Tamaki Endowed Chair at the University of Washington
• Former Washington State Governor Jay Inslee

Related stories:

• As U.S. abandons climate fight, Washington state feels the heat to do more - KUOW
• Trump Administration Erases the Government’s Power to Fight Climate Change - NYT
• Future of Washington state’s climate-pollution fund up in the air - KUOW

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