Climate Scientists Raise Concerns Over DOE Report Downplaying Climate Change Impacts
WASHINGTON – A group of over 85 climate scientists have identified significant scientific issues within a recently released Department of Energy (DOE) report assessing the impacts of greenhouse gas emissions on the U.S. climate. The scientists argue the report, intended too inform policy decisions, downplays the severity of climate change and could be used to justify rolling back environmental regulations.
The DOE report examines potential impacts on areas like coal and gas-fired power plants, cars and trucks, and methane emissions from the oil and gas industry.However, researchers contend it lacks the rigor of established climate assessments, such as those produced by the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which involve hundreds of scientists and multiple peer-review rounds.
“The DOE report is about providing fodder for further actions down the track, which will roll back progress on climate action,” says John Cook, a senior research fellow at the University of Melbourne who studies climate science misinformation. “The DOE report is basically arguing climate change is no big deal, thus we shouldn’t act. Always itS about trying to delay action and maintain the status quo.”
Andrew Dessler, a professor of atmospheric sciences at Texas A&M University, coordinated the expert response submitted to the Federal Register during the DOE’s 30-day open-comment period, which closes Tuesday. He highlights the contrast between the DOE report and extensive, peer-reviewed assessments like those from the IPCC.
The concerns come as the Trump administration seeks to reverse the “endangerment finding” – the scientific basis for regulating greenhouse gas emissions. EPA administrator Lee zeldin has stated the administration’s goal is ”driving a dagger straight into the heart of the climate change religion.”
Travis Fisher, director of energy and environmental policy studies at the Cato Institute, coordinated the DOE’s Climate Working Group that produced the report. He acknowledged the DOE will review comments received during the open period, stating, “If there are errors, they’ll correct them, of course,” and adding, “It’s just a matter of good government and good science to address all comments that come in.” The 150-page report is available for review online. (
