The EPA is right to challenge a bogus Obama-Biden rule Image By Alex Epstein Great news! The Environmental Protection Agency just announced it’s challenging the single most destructive regulatory action in U.S. history: the “endangerment" finding. This bogus “finding” allowed Obama and Biden to ban gas cars, shut down power plants, slow U.S. oil growth and lock up our limitless natural gas. What the ‘endangerment' finding means In 2009, the Obama EPA issued a “finding” that greenhouse gases (GHGs) “endanger both the public health and the public welfare of current and future generations.” But GHGs mostly come from fossil fuels, which on net had clearly been enhancing health and welfare – and would continue doing so. Since human beings began harnessing uniquely cost-effective energy from fossil fuels, human health and welfare have increased dramatically everywhere. Why? Because the benefits of cheap, reliable energy for billions far outweigh any negative side-effects of fossil fuels. We're safer than ever from climate danger Before and since the “endangerment" finding, which is supposedly about reducing climate danger, fossil fuels have on net made us far safer from climate danger by creating incredible climate resilience. That’s why per capita climate disaster deaths have declined 98% over 100 years! The catastrophic effects of the 'endangerment' finding Drawing on its bogus “endangerment” finding, the Biden EPA passed “fuel economy standards” that would prevent more than 50% of Americans from buying a gasoline-powered vehicle after 2032 – a complete violation of American freedom. Drawing on the bogus “endangerment” finding, the Biden EPA and administration as a whole waged a “whole of government” war on fossil fuels that, if not reversed, will crater our entire economy – which has no near-term replacement for fossil fuels. The Trump administration, especially EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, will be attacked relentlessly for challenging the bogus “endangerment finding” – but Zeldin and this administration should be praised for being willing to take on the most destructive regulatory action in American history. Alex Epstein is a philosopher and energy expert bringing clarity to energy, environmental, and climate issues. He has authored Fossil Future and the Moral Case for Fossil Fuels. *The opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of EnergyPlatform.News.
