DeepSummary
Michael Regan, the administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), discusses the agency's efforts to tackle the climate crisis through new regulations aimed at reducing emissions from power plants and vehicles. He emphasizes the urgency of addressing climate change and the potential benefits of these regulations in terms of avoiding millions of metric tons of CO2 emissions, preventing health issues, and saving lives.
Regan acknowledges the challenges faced by the EPA, including the Supreme Court's West Virginia v. EPA ruling, which limits the agency's ability to impose new emissions standards. He also addresses concerns about the potential impact of the regulations on grid reliability and the automobile industry. However, Regan is confident that the proposed regulations are achievable and align with market trends and technological advancements.
The EPA administrator highlights the importance of engaging with communities, including disadvantaged areas, through initiatives like the "Journey to Justice" tour. He also discusses the agency's efforts to engage young people and seek their input through the National Environmental Youth Advisory Council. Overall, Regan emphasizes the need for collaboration, regulatory certainty, and leveraging federal resources to drive the clean energy transition.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- The EPA is proposing new regulations to reduce emissions from power plants and vehicles, aiming to tackle the climate crisis and address public health concerns.
- The EPA faces challenges, including the Supreme Court's ruling limiting its authority and concerns about grid reliability and the automobile industry's readiness.
- Regan emphasizes the potential benefits of the regulations, including avoiding millions of metric tons of CO2 emissions and preventing health issues and deaths.
- The EPA is committed to engaging with communities, particularly disadvantaged areas, through initiatives like the "Journey to Justice" tour.
- The agency is seeking input from young people through the National Environmental Youth Advisory Council, a first-of-its-kind initiative.
- Regan aims to work across political divides, focusing on substantive discussions and finding the best solutions, rather than engaging in political rhetoric.
- The EPA plans to leverage federal resources, including funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act, to support the clean energy transition and environmental justice initiatives.
- Regan emphasizes the importance of regulatory certainty for businesses and the need to align regulations to allow for longer-term investment decisions.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “This is really about how we apply our technology standards and really rev up the economic engine in this country to tackle the climate crisis, protect this planet, save lives, and do it in a way where it is fair and equitable for every single person in this country.“ by Michael Regan
- “When you travel to states like Mississippi and you're slated to meet with, you know, tons of school children, but you can't because the school is shut down because they don't have running water, I believe that the press and the media and our general, you know, constituency should understand that there are people who lack access to clean air and clean drinking water.“ by Michael Regan
- “This country really needs the workforce at EPA to ensure that we can put the right pesticides on the market, that we can ensure that we have a competitive automobile industry, that we have the right regulations and voluntary programs to help our business environment succeed.“ by Michael Regan
- “You know, I spend a lot of time with folks on both sides of the aisle trying to articulate what our goals are and really debating what the best ideas are and not the most relevant political rhetoric of the day.“ by Michael Regan
Entities
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Episode Information
Columbia Energy Exchange
Columbia University
7/11/23
July 4th 2023 was the hottest day on earth ever recorded.
The prevalence of extreme heat, which dramatically impacts quality of life and the built environment, highlights the urgency of tackling the climate crisis. In the U.S., the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) works to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions known to exacerbate global warming.
The EPA’s new regulations aim to further limit pollution from power plants and vehicles and avoid hundreds of millions of metric tons of C02 emissions. These regulations would also prevent health issues and deaths.
Even with the upsides, the EPA still faces obstacles to these proposals. Most significantly, the Supreme Courts’ West Virginia vs. EPA ruling limits the agency’s ability to impose new emissions standards. Additionally, some professionals and legislators worry the technology standards on the power sector could impact grid reliability.
So, how will the new regulations play out in practice? Will the EPA be able to implement its agenda? And what will the impact be on industry and communities?
This week host Bill Loveless talks with Michael Regan about the EPA’s proposed regulations to reduce vehicle and power plants emissions, and how the agency plans to deal with pushback.
Michael Regan is the administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. Over the past two years, he has overseen the agency’s effort to curb emissions from U.S. industry and fight climate change. Prior to his nomination as administrator, he served as the secretary of the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality. He has also held positions at the Environmental Defense Fund, including associate vice president of U.S. Climate and Energy.