U.S. lawmakers challenge climate science attacks and Roadless Rule repeal

U.S. lawmakers and advocacy groups are addressing environmental policy and scientific integrity. During a Senate Environmental and Public Works committee hearing, Dr. Gretchen Goldman, CEO of the Union of Concerned Scientists, testified regarding industry and administration attacks on climate science. The testimony highlighted the potential harm to public health and safety, coinciding with upcoming Supreme Court oral arguments in Suncor v Boulder concerning fossil fuel industry accountability.

In a separate development, a delegation of 38 California congressional members, including Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff, has formally opposed the Trump administration’s efforts to rescind the Roadless Rule. This 2001 Forest Service policy protects approximately 60 million acres of undeveloped National Forest System lands by prohibiting new road construction and commercial timber harvesting. Lawmakers warned that repealing the rule could jeopardize water quality in major California rivers and increase the risk of devastating wildfires.