Full Appeals Court Hears Arguments on EPA Chlorpyrifos Decision

"Eleven federal judges were at times puzzled, perturbed and bemused during high-stakes oral arguments yesterday involving the pesticide chlorpyrifos.

'Counsel, I am mentally calculating my retirement date here,' Judge Morgan Christen deadpanned to Trump administration lawyer Jonathan Brightbill halfway through the hourlong session.

Christen was airing frustration about EPA's decision to freeze certain agency proceedings on chlorpyrifos last summer — on top of environmentalists' claims that it has already dragged its feet for years.

'Is there no limit to this?' the Obama appointee asked at another point. 'Is that really your answer?'"

Ellen M. Gilmer reports for Greenwire March 27, 2019.