Media Contact:
Justin Wasser, jwasser@earthworks.org
Background: Today, the President Trump announced the finalization of a rule that significantly limits the ability of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to protect the American public from the harms of greenhouse gases. In doing so, the Administration has effectively rejected the scientific fact that greenhouse gases pose a risk to public health and the environment. The Administration further distances the EPA from its legally mandated mission to protect the American people from pollution harm.
Statement by Lauren Pagel, Policy Director at Earthworks:
“No one benefits from attacking the ability of the federal government to protect public health except the rich and billion-dollar corporations that Trump and his administration take no shame in hiding they are eager to serve. Big oil,gas and mining corporations are getting what they paid for while communities across the U.S. face more risks to their health and safety, as well as more record-breaking wildfires, devastating hurricanes and floods, and extreme heat fueled by fossil fuels.
“As national climate protections are undermined, state governments must act as the last line of defense. Governors, legislatures, and state agencies should move swiftly to protect us from climate impacts and the health harms that always come with them.”