"EPA: Climate Science Debate 'On Hold' After White House Meeting"

"The effort by U.S. EPA to publicly debate mainstream climate science is on ice.

The idea of a 'red team, blue team' debate to critique climate science — championed by EPA boss Scott Pruitt — has created divisions within the Trump administration, spurring high-level staff discussions at the White House about how to proceed. Earlier this week, EPA air chief Bill Wehrum attended a White House meeting with Trump energy aide Mike Catanzaro, deputy chief of staff Rick Dearborn and others to discuss the future of the debate, according to an administration official.

After the talk, the red team 'has been put on hold,' according to someone familiar with the meeting.

President Trump has privately told Pruitt he supports a public debate to challenge mainstream climate science, administration officials told E&E News. But the administration isn't unified behind the idea, and an official said prior to this week's meeting that 'Pruitt has not been given authorization to go ahead with red team, blue team; there are still many issues to be ironed out.'"

Robin Bravender reports for ClimateWire December 15, 2017.