Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger Calls EPA’s Proposed Repeal of Endangerment Finding ‘Reckless’ and ‘Dangerous’

Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger spoke out this morning against a federal proposal to roll back climate protections, calling the move “reckless” and “dangerous” during a virtual public hearing before the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The hearing focused on EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin’s plan to repeal the agency’s 2009 Endangerment Finding, a key scientific determination that greenhouse gas emissions endanger public health and welfare. The finding underpins the EPA’s authority to regulate emissions from power plants, vehicles, and other major sources of pollution.

Metzger, a former state senator and long-time climate advocate, urged the EPA to maintain its responsibility to address greenhouse gas emissions.

“It is settled science that greenhouse gas emissions from the burning of fossil fuels is causing dangerous planetary warming and posing unacceptable risks to our health and the environment,” Metzger said. “Repealing the endangerment finding is entirely contrary to your mission.”

Metzger pointed to the mounting climate impacts in Ulster County as evidence of the dangers. She highlighted a growing wildfire threat, worsened air quality, and frequent flooding as examples of how climate change is already harming residents and local economies.

Last fall, a prolonged drought fueled wildfires that burned hundreds of acres in the Catskills, forcing evacuations and straining firefighting resources. In 2020, another fire scorched 270 acres in Minnewaska State Park. At the same time, smoke from massive Canadian wildfires has repeatedly blanketed the Hudson Valley, degrading air quality and discouraging outdoor recreation that supports the region’s tourism industry.

Flooding is also a recurring concern, Metzger noted. With its mountainous terrain and river valleys, Ulster County ranks second in New York State for the number of Presidential Disaster Declarations. Severe storms have washed away homes, bridges, roads, and farmland, while federal support for flood mitigation has been cut.

“These flood events endanger lives, force first responders into harm’s way, and can cost our communities millions,” Metzger said.

She warned that repealing the Endangerment Finding would leave communities even more vulnerable to worsening heat, storms, crop losses, and infrastructure damage.

“Repealing the endangerment finding would be reckless and dangerous, and the EPA must reconsider this action,” she said.

The EPA is currently collecting public comments on the proposed repeal before making a final decision.