POLITICO Energy Why a Biden EPA official is pushing back against DOE’s climate report
Aug 20, 2025
Jean Chemnick, a climate change reporter for E&E News, delves into the contentious debate surrounding a Department of Energy report that threatens federal authority over carbon emissions regulation. She critiques the report's flaws and connects it to past Trump administration tactics aimed at reversing key climate policies. Additionally, Chemnick discusses the push from U.S. battery manufacturers for the Trump administration to end tariff exemptions on Chinese machinery, framing it as a critical national security concern.
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Handpicked Scientists Challenge Mainstream Climate Science
- The DOE report was written by five scientists handpicked by Energy Secretary Wright and seeks to challenge mainstream climate science.
- Many cited scientists say their work was misrepresented, making the report scientifically controversial.
Endangerment Finding Underpins Climate Regulation
- The 2009 EPA endangerment finding concluded greenhouse gases endanger public health and underpins federal climate regulation.
- Overturning that finding would undercut EPA authority to regulate emissions across multiple sectors.
Report Serves As Scientific Basis To Reverse Finding
- The report provides a scientific basis for efforts to overturn the endangerment finding rather than relying solely on legal arguments.
- Using this report as Exhibit A shifts the battle to scientific claims that many say are unsettled.