Cato Podcast Righting the Endangerment Finding
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Sep 2, 2025 Travis Fisher, Director of Energy and Environmental Policy Studies at Cato and former Department of Energy employee, discusses his role in an influential climate report. He highlights the importance of diverse scientific perspectives in climate debates. The conversation reveals how the EPA's 2009 endangerment finding affects U.S. regulations and emphasizes the need for sound economic arguments in environmental policy. Fisher advocates for a return to Congressional authority for more stable climate regulations, sparking a call for open dialogue in climate discussions.
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Cato Staff Detailed To DOE
- Travis Fisher was detailed from Cato to DOE under the Intergovernment Personnel Act and worked at no cost to taxpayers.
- He served as liaison for a five-person climate working group producing a DOE report challenging mainstream climate consensus.
DOE Report Reopens Science Debate
- The DOE report, A Critical Review of Impacts of Greenhouse Gas Emissions on the U.S. Climate, aims to re-open scientific debate rather than produce regulation.
- It acknowledges human influence but focuses on observed data and uncertainties instead of dire modeled projections.
Report Supports EPA Reconsideration
- The DOE report supplies scientific arguments the EPA can cite when reconsidering the 2009 endangerment finding.
- Science backing strengthens the EPA's legal effort to rescind GHG regulations even if legal arguments alone might suffice.