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Other Controversial US Governmental Decisionmaking: 

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the formal reopening and expansion ofitsmidterm evaluation for new vehicle greenhouse gas standards for model years 2021-2025. The standards, originally set in 2012, were the culmination of a historic agreement between automakers, labor, consumer and environmental groups, California, and the federal government to establish "one national program."

In response to EPA's announcement today, Consumers Union, the policy and mobilization arm of Consumer Reports,  issued the following statement:

"By reopening the midterm evaluation, EPA is bringing back questions that have already been asked and answered. In fact, EPA concluded a thorough assessment earlier this year that found the targets through 2025 could be met at an even lower cost than EPA had previously estimated," said Shannon Baker-Branstetter, policy counsel for Consumers Union.

"And by expanding the review to include Model Year 2021, EPA is opening the door even further to eroding standards beyond what was previously contemplated. If EPA goes through with its review, they should leave 2021 off the table and they must conduct a fair, transparent assessment that includes the voices of consumers. If progress toward more efficient vehicles is put in reverse, consumers are the ones who will bear the financial burden."

"Consumers want to save money on gas and they want government to help them by continuing to set strong standards for cars, trucks and SUVs, according to our latest surveys," said Baker-Branstetter. "In fact, consumers are especially concerned about the fuel efficiency of the crossovers and SUVs they’ve been gravitating toward in recent years. Larger vehicles have the most room for improvement, so maintaining, or even strengthening, standards [are] critical to protect fuel savings for consumers."

• The Trump administration let the charter for the Advisory Committee for the Sustained National Climate Assessment  expire on Sunday, August 20th. On Friday, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's acting administrator informed the head of the 15-person federal advisory panel that NOAA would not renew the committee tasked with creating actionable plans for the National Climate Review, a recurring report that's next due in 2018. (The Washington Post)

•  Trump administration disbands federal advisory committee on climate ...   The Trump administration has decided to disband the federal advisory panel for the National Climate Assessment, a group aimed at helping policymakers and private-sector officials incorporate the government’s climate analysis into long-term planning. The charter for the 15-person Advisory Committee for the Sustained National Climate Assessment – which includes academics as well as local officials and corporate representatives – expires Sunday. On Friday, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s acting administrator, Ben Friedman, informed the committee’s chair that the agency would not renew the panel. 

• Editor's Note: Image of Hurricane Sandy's damage to New Jersey Shore from the Joint Forces Staff College