OneGreenThing's Guide to Public Comments

In the latest wave of the current administration’s contentious political moves, the Environmental Protection Agency has introduced a proposal to revoke the 2009 “endangerment finding,” which states that carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases are a threat to public health and gives the EPA the authority to regulate them. In effect, this would end the EPA’s ability to fight climate change. While this proposal is grim and disheartening, it does not mean defeat. In fact, we should all let this be a call to action. 

Getting involved and making your voice heard is simpler than it seems. When a federal agency makes an administrative proposal, they are required by law to request comments from the public; this is called the public comment period.

During this period–typically lasting anywhere from 30-90 days–all members of the public are invited to submit their comments via email or mail. In some cases, there is a public hearing scheduled, where members of the public can give oral statements and feedback.

• Before you submit a written comment or speak at a hearing, it’s important to make sure you’re prepared. 

  
  

• Regardless of form–written or oral–you need to first familiarize yourself with the proposed rule or change. These officials know this material in and out, and, if you want your comment to be taken seriously, so should you.

  
  

• Furthermore, it’s vital to fully flesh out your argument before you submit. Emphasize the impacts of this proposal on your community. Establishing a personal connection to your argument gives you more legitimacy.

  
  

• Additionally, when speaking at a public hearing, it’s important to show up prepared and patient.

  
  

• Be ready to wait a while, bring extra copies of your statement, and be prepared to answer follow-up questions from officials.

  
  

• For more detailed advice on how to structure your statement, including a sample script, take a look at the National Resource Defense Council’s recommendations.

There will be a virtual public hearing regarding the EPA’s proposal to reconsider the “endangerment finding” on August 19 and August 20, 2025; the hearing may continue on August 21, 2025 if needed to accommodate the number of testifiers. You can register for the hearing up until its last day, however, there is pre-registration available until August 12, 2025 for those wanting to give testimony or needing accommodations. 

Email EPA-MobileSource-Hearings@epa.gov to register. 

The period to submit public comments via email or mail ends on September 15, 2025. To submit a written comment, email a-and-r-Docket@epa.gov and include Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2025-0194 in the subject line. 

For physical mail submissions, the mailing address is:

 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA Docket Center, OAR, Docket EPA-HQ-OAR-2025-0194, Mail Code 28221T, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20460.

For more information regarding the public comment period and process for this proposal, please visit the EPA’s web page for this proposed rule. 

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Cate Hashemi is a Policy Fellow at OneGreenThing and a Senior at Connecticut College, majoring in International Relations, Sociology, and Slavic Studies.