Connecticut Congressional Delegation Urges EPA to Keep Endangerment Finding in Place

Strategic Insights -

The Connecticut Congressional delegation has sent a letter to Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin urging him to withdraw his proposal rescinding the 2009 endangerment finding that determined greenhouse gas emissions pose a serious risk to Americans' health and well-being. The delegation, consisting of Reps. John B. Larson, Joe Courtney, Rosa DeLauro, Jim Himes, and Jahana Hayes, and Senators Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy, expressed concern over the EPA's proposal, citing dire long-term consequences for the people of Connecticut and the nation.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Connecticut Congressional delegation has urged EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin to withdraw his proposal rescinding the 2009 endangerment finding on greenhouse gas emissions.
  • The delegation cited dire long-term consequences for Connecticut and the nation, including increased risk of floods, deadly storm surges, and poor air quality.
  • Connecticut has been impacted by 24 "billion-dollar" disasters over the last 15 years, with 61% of the state's population living in coastal communities.
  • The EPA's endangerment finding is crucial for reducing pollution and addressing climate change, and its rescission would undermine commonsense efforts to combat the issue.
  • The delegation noted that Connecticut suffers from some of the worst air quality in the country, with poor air quality being a profound public health risk, especially to young children, the elderly, and those with respiratory diseases.
  • The delegation urged the EPA to keep the endangerment finding in place and stand on the side of people and the planet, rather than polluters.

Statistics:

  • 61% of Connecticut's population lives in coastal communities.
  • 24 "billion-dollar" disasters have impacted Connecticut over the last 15 years.
  • 3 of Connecticut's cities - Hartford, New Haven, and Bridgeport - were included in the top 100 most challenging cities in the country to live in with asthma in 2023.
  • Fairfield County recorded over 20 unhealthy air quality days in 2023, making it the worst county in the New York City Metro area for smog.
  • Greenhouse gas emissions pose a serious risk to Americans' health and well-being, as determined by the 2009 endangerment finding.

Sources:

  • Letter from Connecticut Congressional delegation to EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin
  • Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection report (September 2023)