How will history judge the climate change debate? One senator has a very specific idea.
Environmental Protection Agency regulations proposed at the beginning of June seek to cut carbon emissions 30 percent below 2005 levels by the year 2030. The agency says those new standards will be a huge step for public health and could cut energy bills by eight percent. Opponents say the regulations are part of an “oppressive climate agenda” that threatens state economies.
Wednesday morning, EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy defended the proposals before the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.
“Let me indicate that there is tremendous flexibility in this rule, and it is because the EPA listened to every stakeholder,” McCarthy said.
McCarthy’s testimony was met, unsurprisingly, with strong support from Democrats and skepticism from Republicans.
“Administrator McCarthy, the American people are behind you and counting on EPA to stand strong against the polluters,” said Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I.
“This is something the administration is doing even though the American people really don’t care about this,” said Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Okla.
But Vermont Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders — a member of the Senate Democratic Caucus — went a step further, seeking to put the climate change debate in a more historical context.
“This debate that’s taking place today is very similar to a debate that took place 50 or 60 years ago right here in Congress,” said Sanders. “Tobacco causing cancer? Oh no, that can’t be the case. And they brought doctors in here, guys who were smoking Kool’s.”
“Finally the truth won out, and the truth will win out on this debate as well,” he concluded.
Public comment on the EPA’s proposed regulations is open until Oct. 16.
