City Council condemns Trump’s efforts to repeal Obama-era climate policy

Boston’s city council unanimously moved to condemn the Trump administration’s proposal to repeal the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Endangerment Finding – the legal basis for regulating greenhouse gas emissions established by the Obama administration.

“This reckless move will restrict the federal government of its primary legal authority to limit and regulate climate pollution from vehicles, power plants, and industries that are threatening decades of environmental progress,” said sponsor Gabriela Coletta Zapata.

“Communities already burdened by environmental injustice will suffer the most,” added co-sponsor, Sharon Durkan. “Increased pollution and climate risk mean more health issues, lower quality of life, and higher costs for families who can least afford it.”

The Endangerment Finding identifies six greenhouse gases that threaten public health and welfare. Without it, the federal government is essentially unable to regulate emissions from vehicles, power plants, and industrial facilities. Critics of the EPA policy, like Indiana representative Mark Messmer, have called it a “Democrat tool to issue burdensome regulations.” Experts are less cautious, however. “Without the Endangerment Finding, there’s no legal reason for the EPA to act on climate,” Harvard law professor and Obama climate advisor Jody Freeman told Forbes.

Zapata called the repeal a dangerous capitulation to global polluters that risks the health and well-being of all humanity. “Low-lying areas of Boston, like Eastie, are extremely vulnerable to sea level rise due to climate change, coastal flooding, and storm surge,” she said. The resolution also mentions South Boston and Dorchester as being disproportionately harmed by more costly and more frequent climate-related emergencies that will have economic consequences on healthcare and infrastructure.

“I’m very grateful to all of my colleagues who saw this resolution and thought that it was important to stand with folks like Senator Ed Markey and our congressional delegation in calling out such an egregious attack on bipartisan environmental protections,” said Zapata.

Markey commented on July 29, that, “Arguing that greenhouse gas emissions don’t put us in danger by causing climate change is like saying that a lit match can’t put us in danger by burning down the house… This is nothing more than selling out Americans’ safety and future just for the convenience of polluters.”

Zapata praised Mayor Michelle Wu for her understanding of the urgency and severity of climate change. The new Boston Climate Action Plan (CAP) outlines a preliminary list of climate action strategies and a drafted Climate Justice Framework. A more detailed full draft will be released in the Fall for public comment, with a final plan published early next year.

The first draft of CAP can be viewed here, and will be accepting feedback until September 30. A virtual CAP workshop will be held on August 27, to share information and receive public comment.