For Immediate Release: October 17, 2025
The Climate Democracy Initiative announced today its strong opposition to the EPA's proposal to rescind the 2009 Endangerment Finding for greenhouse gases and to repeal the 2024 motor vehicle standards. In its comments to EPA, CDI called the proposal "replete with errors of science, logic, and law."
“The EPA is not only abandoning its duty to protect Americans from climate pollution, it is also trying to prevent future Administrations from acting. This is profoundly anti-democratic and dangerously out of step with both science and law,” said CDI Executive Director, Natalie Montecino.
CDI’s comments emphasize:
Public Health & Savings: If they are allowed to stay in place, the 2024 standards will prevent 7.2 billion tons of carbon pollution, deliver $99 billion annually in net benefits, and save consumers an average of $6,000 per vehicle.
Flawed Science: In its proposal to remove the standards, the EPA relies on a discredited Department of Energy report that cherry-picks data, misrepresents peer-reviewed studies, and ignores the consensus of the National Climate Assessment.
Communities at Risk: Rolling back protections worsens pollution burdens on low-income communities and communities of color who already face disproportionate climate impacts. These health-and-life threatening conditions include, but are not limited to, rising cases of asthma and heatstroke.
“This rollback would hurt our health, our economy, and our democracy,” Montecino said. “We urge the EPA to withdraw this reckless proposal immediately.”
For a copy of CDI's official statement to EPA:
Contact: Kara Lamb, Program Manager
Phone: (970) 215-9545
Email: kara@climatedemocracyinitiative.org
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The Climate Democracy Initiative (CDI) strengthens democratic governance systems to be resilient, responsive, and committed to climate solutions. CDI empowers rural communities and young leaders, particularly in underrepresented regions, to shape sustainable futures.