Texas Democrats Oppose EPA Deregulation of Air Pollutants

Strategic Insights -

U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-Austin) has led a group of Texas Democratic Congressmembers in opposing the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) proposal to eliminate federal regulations on greenhouse gas emissions. The politicians argue that the climate crisis is already affecting Texans, with extreme weather events costing lives and billions in infrastructure and property damage. They cite examples of the devastating effects of climate change, including the Central Texas floods that killed at least 137 people in July, and the exacerbation of Hurricane Harvey's damages by greenhouse gas emissions.

Key Takeaways:

  • Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas) led Texas Democratic Congressmembers in opposing the EPA's proposal to eliminate federal regulations on greenhouse gas emissions.
  • The Texas members argued that the climate crisis is already affecting Texans, with extreme weather events costing lives and billions in infrastructure and property damage.
  • Examples of the devastating effects of climate change cited by the Texas members include the Central Texas floods that killed at least 137 people in July, and the exacerbation of Hurricane Harvey's damages by greenhouse gas emissions.
  • The Trump Administration's proposal to undo standards backed by decades of scientific evidence will force American families to pay more for healthcare due to the respiratory and heart diseases caused by pollutants.
  • Texans can still voice their concerns about the EPA proposal through submitting a comment by September 22.
  • Rising temperatures lead to rising deaths, with the number of heat-related deaths in Texas breaking state records consecutively from 2020 to 2023.
  • The endangerment finding, established in 2009, is a science-based determination by the EPA that six greenhouse gases are harmful to public health and welfare.
  • Tick- and mosquito-borne tropical diseases are further threatening Texans' health as diseases move northward and threaten their health infrastructure.

Statistics:

  • At least 137 people were killed in the central Texas floods in July due to the exacerbation of climate change.
  • Greenhouse gas emissions worsened the damages of Hurricane Harvey, with half of residential flooding attributed to climate change.
  • The number of heat-related deaths in Texas broke state records consecutively from 2020 to 2023.
  • The Trump Administration's proposal to undo standards backed by decades of scientific evidence will force American families to pay more for healthcare due to the respiratory and heart diseases caused by pollutants.

Sources:

  • https://doggett.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-doggett-leads-texas-members-opposing-epa-deregulation-air-pollutants