EPA followed the law on greenhouse gas endangerment finding
NEWS RELEASE
Contact:
Tony Kreindler, 202-445-8108, tkreinder@edf.org
Vickie Patton, 720-837-6239, vpatton@edf.org
(Washington, DC – September 28, 2011) The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) inspector general (IG) today buttressed the agency’s efforts to address greenhouse gas pollution, affirming that EPA followed the law when it determined that greenhouse gases endanger public health and welfare.
The IG’s report concludes EPA “met statutory requirements for rulemaking” when it issued its endangerment finding, the scientific predicate for action to address greenhouse gas emissions under the Clean Air Act. The IG’s report takes issue with EPA’s procedural classification of the technical support document under internal federal guidance. The Office of Management and Budget, which created the internal guidance at issue, agreed with EPA’s approach under the internal government procedures (set forth in an OMB Bulletin).
“Let’s be clear on what this report does not do: it does not call into question any of the underlying science. And the report affirmed that EPA complied with the law when making the Endangerment Finding,” said Steve Hamburg, chief scientist at Environmental Defense Fund.
The scientific foundation underlying EPA’s endangerment finding is extensive and underwent rigorous peer review. EPA relied on assessments of climate science by the National Academy of Sciences, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, and the U.S. Global Change Research Program. These assessments considered tens of thousands of peer-reviewed articles and involved thousands of scientists. Each assessment report was peer reviewed by an independent group of experts and was subject to public comment.
“EPA’s finding that greenhouse gas pollution endangers public health and welfare is based on volumes of rigorously peer-reviewed research reflecting an extensive and unwavering body of work from our best scientists,” Hamburg added.
###
With more than 3 million members, Environmental Defense Fund creates transformational solutions to the most serious environmental problems. To do so, EDF links science, economics, law, and innovative private-sector partnerships to turn solutions into action. edf.org
Latest press releases
-
New Analysis Finds Indigenous Lands and Protected Areas Are Key in Slowing Deforestation; Without them Brazilian Amazon Forest Loss Would be 35% and Carbon Emissions 45% Higher
October 28, 2025 -
New Poll: Republicans, Democrats and Independents Strongly Oppose Weakening Chemical Safety Law
October 27, 2025 -
Court Rules New York Must Implement State Climate Law and Deliver Swift Action
October 24, 2025 -
EDF Goes to Court to Help Defend California Climate Risk Reporting Laws That Protect People from Financial Damage
October 24, 2025 -
Oregon Water Partnership Applauds Gov. Kotek’s Executive Order to Promote Resilience of Communities and Natural Working Lands and Waters
October 23, 2025 -
Community, Health and Environmental Groups Sue to Stop President Trump’s Unlawful Toxic Air Pollution Exemptions
October 22, 2025