Senator wants to hear from us on the issues

In an email from James Risch in response to my phone call regarding the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement, he says that coal is a clean fuel, and that the Clean Air Act was never intended for use to regulate greenhouse gases.

The Supreme Court ruled a decade ago in Massachusetts v. EPA that greenhouse gases meet the definition of air pollutants under the existing Clean Air Act and must be regulated if these gases could be reasonably anticipated to endanger public health or welfare. Based on overwhelming scientific evidence EPA found that six greenhouse gases (including carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides) constitute a threat to public health and welfare. The Supreme Court’s interpretation of the existing Act and EPA’s assessment of the scientific evidence form the basis for EPA’s regulatory actions.

Carbon dioxide emissions from coal combustion for electric power and industry were responsible for 24.5% of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions in 2012. Combustion also emits nitrogen oxides and other pollutants including heavy metals.

72 percent of Idahoans accept climate reality. 60.4 percent believe both that climate change is occurring and that humans are playing at least some role in producing these changes.

Though much of the senator’s work on clean energy is laudable, his beliefs on these key issues are dangerously wrong and out-of-step with most of his constituents. If you are one of the majority of Idahoans who are concerned about the climate crisis, please call Risch and tell him: 202 224 2752. He thanked me for my call and encouraged me to call again and on other issues. He wants to hear from us.

NANCY GERTH

Sandpoint

Dear Ms. Gerth:

Thank you for taking the time to contact me regarding U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement. I really appreciate hearing from you.

As a member of the Energy and Natural Resources Committees, I have for years worked to expand production of reliable carbon-free energy, such as nuclear, geothermal, biomass and hydropower. I also support further development of technologies to produce clean power such as wind, solar and clean coal. These are responsible measures to steward our economy and environment.

Unfortunately, leading environmental attorneys in the United States have said they intended to use the Paris Agreement in conjunction with Obama era regulations to force the EPA to regulate greenhouse gas emissions under the Clean Air Act, even though the Clean Air Act was never intended to create this possibility. This legal liability is a principle reason for U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement. I also disagree with those who argue this would deny the United States a seat at the table in the future. The U.S. Senate ratified the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in 1992, which guarantees the United States a seat at the table in future negotiations on climate issues.

As a member of the Foreign Relations Committee, I support a strong U.S. voice in global issues, but believe President Trump made the right decision in defense of U.S. interests regarding the Paris Agreement.

Again, I really value your effort to get in touch with me to share your thoughts, as many Idahoans do. Please do not hesitate to contact me in the future on this or other issues.

JAMES E. RISCH

United States senator