DENVER — In response to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rescinding the 2009 endangerment finding through a final rule, Conservation Colorado’s Vice President of Programs Katie Belgard issued the following statement:

“By rescinding the endangerment finding, the Trump administration is making climate denial the official policy of the United States and prioritizing the profits of corporate polluters over the health and well-being of working families. This decision will mean dirtier air and water, higher costs for families and greater health risks for Latino, Black, Brown and working communities.”

Rescinding the endangerment finding eliminates the EPA’s ability to protect people from the pollution that causes climate change. In Colorado, increased climate pollution will fuel hotter, drier weather, raise the cost of living and increase the frequency of billion-dollar disasters — costs that are ultimately borne by taxpayers and ratepayers, not corporate polluters. Communities will face more toxic wildfire smoke and worsening air quality that increases the risk of heart attacks, cancer, asthma and other serious health conditions.