Bloomberg Law Tribal Suits Over Sacred Sites & EPA Weakens Regs
Sep 16, 2025
Jennifer Novak, an environmental attorney from California, dives into the EPA's decision to stop requiring large polluters to report their greenhouse gas emissions. Meanwhile, Heather Whiteman Runs Him, director of the Tribal Justice Clinic, sheds light on the legal battles surrounding Apache tribes and the threatened sacred site of Oak Flat. They discuss the implications of the land exchange, the intersection of religious rights and environmental issues, and the ongoing court struggles that highlight the unequal treatment faced by Indigenous communities.
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Reporting Program Underpins Climate Science
- The EPA's greenhouse gas reporting program tracked emissions from ~8,000 major facilities since 2010 and informed policy and state programs.
- Jennifer Novak warns removing it will blind policymakers and weaken science-based regulation.
Cost Claims Lack Clear Basis
- The stated $2.4 billion savings claim lacks transparent backing and may overstate actual public savings.
- Novak notes companies may still collect data privately, so public reporting removal mainly hides emissions from oversight.
Use Legal Process To Fight Rollbacks
- Public comment and litigation are available tools to challenge the EPA proposal and delay implementation.
- Expect lawsuits and requests to courts to block the rollback while the rule is reviewed.