Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel took the stage at a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) hearing to voice her disapproval of a move that could significantly roll back climate protections. Nessel spoke out against the agency's radical proposal to undo its 2009 Endangerment Finding, which signifies the perils of greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles to public health and welfare. As reported by the Michigan Department of Attorney General, she argued that the EPA's current actions disregard a previous consensus on the immediate threat these emissions pose.
"I strenuously oppose the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s unlawful and ill-conceived proposal to rescind its 2009 greenhouse gas endangerment finding," Nessel stated, emphasizing the foundation laid by years of scientific inquiry that solidified the 2009 conclusion, as per a report by the Attorney General's Office. The Trump Administration's proposal, dated August 1, 2025, aims to abdicate the EPA's power to regulate the air pollution contributing greatly to climate change, which Nessel deems as an abdication of responsibilities. An excerpt of her testimony was made public via the Department of Attorney General's YouTube page.
This 2009 finding by the EPA followed a pivotal 2007 Supreme Court judgment in Massachusetts v. EPA, which upheld the authority of the agency under the Clean Air Act to govern emissions that threaten public health. Nessel, in her address, reminded the attendees of the real-life consequences Michigan faces due to changes in the climate. These include severe crop losses for cherry farmers, a threatened winter tourism industry, and an increase in health hazards from wildfire-induced poor air quality. Nessel's insights reflect the state's firsthand experiences with the repercussions of climate change.
Nessel's concerns align with the stance of numerous other attorneys general and officials, who are unified in their criticism of the EPA's proposal. "Constant regulatory chaos and uncertainty isn’t just bad for the environment; it is bad for businesses and everyday Michiganders rely on the EPA to do its job: implementing and enforcing the Clean Air Act," she added, suggesting the current EPA direction favors an outdated fossil fuel industry over the welfare of citizens and the planet, as noted by the Attorney General's Office. Feedback to the proposal can be submitted up until the comment period closes on September 22, 2025.
The contentious proposal digs into the nation's major contributors to greenhouse gas emissions — the transportation sector. The effects of vehicle emissions are far-reaching, linked to respiratory and cardiovascular issues, smog, fine particulate matter, and even premature death from air pollution.
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