Sources Holler Back on Desert Rock, Again
Jul 31, 2020100.6K Shares1.4M Views
Last week, Frank Maisano, spokesperson for the Desert Rock coal project, commentedon the two-partstory we reported. Maisano took issuewith the claim made by leading climate scientist James Hansen, director of NASA’s Goddard Institute of Space Studies, that CO2 emissions are unhealthy for humans. Responding to Maisano’s argument, we pointed to a scientific studylinking CO2 emissions to human mortality. Here’s what Maisano had to say about the study in an email to us:
The only problem with the Jacobsen study is that it is a first of its kind study and gets to the pollution impacts by comparing ozone and particle pollution estimated by increasing temperatures. Clearly I am not as knowledgeable regarding this subject as Dr. Jacobsen and I have great respect for him, but it seems there are way too many complex questions to simply say "carbon dioxide emissions are directly bad for health." I suspect he would agree with that statement more than less. I also wonder if it will take into account the expected mandated reductions in ozone standards that will be implemented in the near term (March 12 EPA is required to announce its new lower standard), as well as longer-term new technology advances that will improve efficiency, therefore reducing carbon emissions. One other issue: the study was released at a very politically-charged time with EPA denying California’s waiver to regulate greenhouse gases. Certainly more than coincidence.
Maisano, the Desert Rock promoter, also suggested we post Desert Rock’s "Voluntary Regional Air Quality Improvement Plan" so readers can read the energy companies’ plans to reduce emissions. Here it is.
Rhyley Carney
Reviewer
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