Rep. Rader Calls on EPA Administrator to Uphold Endangerment Finding, Urges Public to Speak Out Against Proposed Rollback
COLUMBUS – State Rep. Tristan Rader (D-Lakewood) today submitted a letter to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin opposing the agency’s proposal to reconsider the 2009 Endangerment Finding, a bedrock scientific and legal determination that greenhouse gases endanger public health and welfare.
“The EPA’s Endangerment Finding has served as the legal backbone for America’s most effective climate protections for over 15 years,” said Rep. Rader. “Undermining it would be a reckless step backward legally, scientifically, and morally.”
In his letter, Rep. Rader cited progress made under the Clean Air Act, including a 21% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions between 2005 and 2020, improved asthma outcomes for children, and a booming clean energy job market. He also raised alarm over growing fossil fuel industry influence, pointing to recent internal conflict at the EPA, where over 140 employees were placed on administrative leave after opposing the proposal.
“Ohioans are already suffering the impacts of climate change, from extreme heat to toxic air,” said Rep. Rader. “We need an EPA that follows the science, respects the law, and puts people before polluters.”
Rep. Rader also encouraged Ohioans and all Americans to submit public comments opposing the rollback before the official deadline on September 15, 2025. To submit written comments, please do the following:
- Online: Visit the Federal eRulemaking Portal. Click on the “Open for Comments” box.
- Email: a-and-r-Docket@epa.gov. Include Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2025-0194 in the subject line of the message.
- Mail: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
EPA Docket Center, OAR
Docket EPA-HQ-OAR-2025-0194
Mail Code 28221T
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20460.
Additionally, a virtual public hearing will be held on August 19 and 20, 2025. There will be an additional session held on August 21, 2025, if necessary to accommodate the number of testifiers that sign up. All hearing attendees, including those who do not intend to provide testimony, should notify Elizabeth Miller, Office of Transportation and Air Quality, Assessment and Standards Division (ASD) at EPA-MobileSource-Hearings@epa.gov or (734) 214-4703.
Registration will be open through the last day of the hearing; however, the EPA ask that you pre-register by August 12, 2025, if you intend to testify or are requesting special accommodations. Each commenter will have 3 minutes to provide oral testimony. EPA may ask clarifying questions during the oral presentations but will not respond to the presentations at that time. EPA recommends submitting the text of your oral comments as written comments to the rulemaking docket.
“This moment demands more than just concern, it demands action. I strongly urge everyone who cares about clean air, public health, and climate justice to make their voices heard,” said Rep. Rader.
EDITOR’S NOTE: A copy of Rep. Rader’s letter is attached here.