Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Newsroom

Michael S. Regan, EPA Administrator, Discusses Biden Heading To Global Climate Conference Without A Deal On His Agenda & Climate Measures In Biden Spending Plan; Former NY Gov. Cuomo Facing Misdemeanor Sex Crime Charge; NAACP Urges Pro Athletes Not To Sign With Texas Teams; NAACP President On Atlanta Braves' "Tomahawk Chop". Aired 1:30-2p ET

Aired October 29, 2021 - 13:30   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[13:32:22]

ERICA HILL, CNN HOST: President Biden heading into a global climate conference without a deal from Democrats back home on his own plan to fight climate change.

Could that hurt efforts to convince work leaders that America is back and fully engaged in that fight? John Podesta, a former climate adviser for President Obama says it could be, quote, "problematic" for the U.S. credibility.

Joining us now is EPA administrator, Michael Regan.

Good to have you back with us this afternoon.

The framework is one thing and that is important, as we know. But arriving with a signed deal could understandably carry a lot more weight for the president and signal a stronger commitment on climate from the United States.

So how has the president had to shift his message at this point considering he can't point to a deal back home?

MICHAEL S. REGAN, EPA ADMINISTRATOR: Well, Erica, thank you for having me.

And I don't think the president is shifting his message. He is going abroad with a great deal of optimism that the framework will get through both Congress and the Senate.

He's been engaging, and he is really optimistic about being able to be successful.

HILL: Looking at part of what is likely to be in this spending package, oil and gas companies could be forced to pay a fee on methane emissions.

I'm just curious, will that be in the final text? REGAN: You know, I think there are a lot of things on the table that

haven't been hammered out yet. Congress will continue to focus on that,

And we're excited about the potential of what is in the framework. There are lots of options on the table.

And I think Congress is moving very diligently to ensure that we get the best deal for the American people.

HILL: In terms of methane though, how important is that, that those end up, the methane emissions, in the final test? How important is that for the EPA?

REGAN: Methane emissions are critical for reducing climate pollution.

In terms of EPA, we'll lean in and use our regulatory authority to reduce methane emissions.

You will see, coming soon, a very aggressive regulation looking at both new and existing methane sources from oil and gas, the oil and gas sector.

So we are really excited about the conversation happening in Congress, but we're not totally reliant on what's happening in Congress.

HILL: You talk about what we're going to see coming. There was some talk that the EPA was going to release some new rules for methane this week.

Is that what you're referring to? And when could we expect those?

REGAN: You know, we are looking at, in the coming days, if not weeks, proposing a very aggressive rule on methane emissions for both new and existing sources.

And in there, you will see the most aggressive approach for reducing methane.

But also reducing other harmful chemicals that impact human health for many of these environmental justice communities that are located near these facilities.

[13:35:06]

So both a strong approach for climate pollution and public health pollution reductions is what you're going to see from EPA's proposed rule on methane.

HILL: Will there be a cut on gas and oil production?

REGAN: You know, what our rule will focus on is, you know, the methane leakage. There's a lot of product that's just lost through the methane -- I'm sorry, through the oil and gas process.

So we're going to take a very close look at the technologies that are available, the best management practices, and ways that we can get deep methane emission cuts and better ways to monitor the fugitive emissions.

HILL: When it comes to some of these clean energy provisions, we know from our sourcing, and even from what we've heard from Senator Manchin, there are certain things that Senator Manchin was very much opposed to.

He, of course, comes from a state that relies heavily on coal and coal production among others. It's important to the economy there, but we know what it can do to the climate.

Should Senator Manchin be dictating at this point which way the country goes on climate?

REGAN: You know, I think the president has been engaging all parties along the spectrum. And we all know that the future of coal is dwindling very quickly.

We also are looking at this Build Back Better framework that has $550 billion dedicated to mitigating climate change impacts.

And so there are tons of resources in there that look at tax incentives and other financial instrumentation that make it much more affordable for American families to have access to clean energy.

That's the future. That's where we're headed.

And I think that's why the president is so optimistic. This is about reducing pollution. But there are also economic development and job opportunities in this package as well.

HILL: We look forward to seeing what that final package is.

EPA administrator, Michael Regan, thanks for joining us.

REGAN: Thank you, Erica.

HILL: Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo now named in a new criminal filing which accuses him of groping a former aide. Those details are next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[13:42:04]

HILL: Former Governor Andrew Cuomo facing a misdemeanor sexual assault charge for allegedly groping a woman at the executive mansion last year.

The criminal complaint accusing him of forceable touching. It was filed two months after Cuomo's resignation as governor.

Allegations of -- the resignation coming amidst allegations he sexually harassed numerous women while in office. Those allegations coming from a report from the attorney general's office. CNN's Brynn Gingras following all of this for us.

So this complaint was filed in sort of an unorthodox fashion. But one thing we do know is that the former governor is going to have to appear in court next month, Brynn.

BRYNN GINGRAS, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: That's right. He has a court date set for the summons, November 18th, Erica.

But like you said, this was highly unusual how this all went about. So let me explain to you.

We knew, as we mentioned to the viewers, that there was an allegation of groping that was filed about the Albany County Sheriff's Department after that attorney general's report came out.

And the district attorney there, the sheriff's office came out together and said we're going to investigate this.

In fact, we know that the person, who was identified in the A.G.'s report as an executive assistant number one, she was interviewed several times by the sheriff's department.

But what's so unusual about this is that the sheriff's office filed this one-page complaint and didn't seemingly tell the district attorney that he was going to do it.

So that's what we're trying to get to the bottom of that. That's so unusual, particularly when we're talking about a sex crime and particularly when we're talking about the former governor of New York.

So listen, Erica, we're actually waiting on a press conference from the sheriff because a lot of people have questions for him. That's beginning at 2:30, so we'll get you updated on that.

But pass far as Cuomo's team, what they are saying right now in a statement to us was Governor Cuomo, again denying any allegations, "has never assaulted anyone and Sheriff Apple" -- who is the Albany County sheriff's "motive here are patently improper."

So, again, a lot of questions about how this was handled and what's going to happen next. And hopefully, we'll get more answers.

Again, as you mentioned, that court date is set for the former governor of New York November 17th in Albany.

HILL: Sounds good.

Brynn, appreciate it. And we know you'll be updating viewers after that 2:30 event as well.

[13:45:16]

Just ahead here, a civil rights organization's blunt message to professional athletes: Don't play for a Texas team. Don't sign with a Texas team if offered. Why? We're going to ask the head of the NAACP next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HILL: Backlash against the Lone Star state. The NAACP calling on athletes to avoid signing with Texas-based teams over the state's new voting law, abortion restriction and its handling over the COVID pandemic.

There are nine major sports franchises in Texas. CNN has reached out to all nine, in additional to the five players associations for comment. Those players associations were the subject of this letter, which was directed at them.

So far, the Dallas Mavericks have responded with no comment.

And WNBA association just responded saying, in part, to CNN, that they look forward to mobilizing young people to come together to fight for and save this democracy.

[13:50:07]

Now as for the letter, which was sent to the players associations, the NAACP said Texas is dismantling civil rights and that it's destroying the state's moral compass with these new laws.

And reads, in part, "If you are a woman, avoid Texas. If you are black, avoid Texas. If you want to lower your chances of dying from coronavirus, avoid Texas.

CNN has reached out to Governor Greg Abbott. We have not yet heard back.

Joining me now the president and CEO of the NAACP, Derrick Johnson.

Good to have you back today.

You're calling on the athletes in a letter to set an example not just in their professional capacity, but, in your words, "as parents and role models."

Calling on them to do that for the broader community saying Texas won't protect your family. That could be a really powerful ask. Athletes don't always have a choice of where they get to go, if they get traded and only get one offer.

What has you heard in response so far?

DERRICK JOHNSON, PRESIDENT & CEO, NAACP: We did an open letter. Individuals have always used their platforms to advance social justice, particularly in the African-American community.

And what we have witnessed in the state of Texas over the last 10 months is going back in time.

The fact that this governor, policymakers in this state will put someone else at risk over a political debate that has nothing to do with keeping people healthy.

That they're going backwards in terms of access to voting. Just recently they adopted redistricting plans based on the population growth but reduced representation of African-American and Latino communities.

We are not in 1950. It is a state that is setting an example that is wrong headed. And we must protect our democracy.

And the tiny populations are immigrants, African-American, women, and anyone who cares about their health.

The NAACP, we're an advocacy group and that's why we're pushing for better policy to look forward, not policy that looks backwards.

HILL: In pushing for that better policy and looking forward and fighting for democracy, in Atlanta, where Major League Baseball moved the all-star game right from the city in April, moved out of the state of Georgia in response to those voter laws.

Stacey Abrams stood up and said don't do this, keep the game here, bring the attention to Georgia, stay and fight.

What about staying and fighting in Texas? Do you think that could be as effective?

JOHNSON: Well, Stacey is a friend and I respect her opinion. But we're talking about a Texas, a government legislative body that are consistently pushing the states back into an archaic period.

We have an opportunity to look forward.

This governor and legislative body want to keep people at risk with their health. Why would you fight against individuals wearing a mask in this public health pandemic?

Why would you seek to suppress voters and limit access to the polling place or deny people the ability to elect candidates of their choice?

Those are serious issues that we must confront as a nation.

And athletes, they are role models. They are individuals that could really set a different standard.

The things that bring people together is music, food and athletics. Let's go to the place where people come together so we could have a heightened demand on equity, access and opportunity and public health.

(CROSSTALK)

JOHNSON: That is the goal here.

HILL: I'm interested to see, moving forward, who else reaches out to you. Interesting to hear.

Pretty quickly, when we reached out to the WNBA, the players association, we know the NBA has really been outspoken in terms of work for social justice.

So as we continue to fall that, I want to get your take on something happening in Atlanta.

Of course, the world series underway. And there have been Native American groups and advocates calling on the Braves to retire the tomahawk chop, the symbol and it's branding from its game-day traditions, saying the team is perpetuating racial stereotypes.

Do you agree?

JOHNSON: Absolutely. Words matter. Images are important.

NAACP, we stand in solidarity with the Native American community. No one in this country should be offended because of stereotypical images, naming of teams or gestures. Words matter.

And we have to look for a future that is inclusive and diverse and stop perpetuating stereotypes of the past.

HILL: Derrick Johnson, always appreciate you taking the time to join us. Thank you.

JOHNSON: Thank you.

HILL: And thanks to all of you for joining us this hour. I'm Erica Hill in today for Ana Cabrera.

[13:54:51]

Stay tuned. The news continues next with Alisyn and Victor.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[14:00:00]

VICTOR BLACKWELL, CNN HOST: Hello. I'm Victor Blackwell. And thank you for joining us on NEWSROOM.

ALISYN CAMEROTA, CNN HOST: And I'm Alisyn Camerota.

We begin with President Biden overseas and candid about the recent diplomatic dustup.