EPA Moves to Abdicate Its Responsibilities with Health and Climate Rollbacks

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a staggering announcement, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin unveiled plans to repeal or weaken 31 crucial standards that protect public health and address the climate crisis. This is a plan to give a slew of industries—from power plants to vehicles to oil and gas and more—a free pass to pollute our air and water.

The following is a statement from Jackie Wong, senior vice president for Climate & Energy at NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council):

“Breaking faith with the American people and half a century of precedent, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today abandoned its mission of protecting human health and the environment.

“Repealing or weakening these important safeguards on pollution from cars, power plants, and oil producers would mean higher energy bills, more asthma and heart attacks, more toxins in drinking water, and more extreme weather.

“At a time when millions of Americans are trying to rebuild after horrific wildfires and climate-fueled hurricanes, it’s nonsensical to try to deny that climate change harms our health and welfare.

“Still, today’s announcement is only the start of the process—not the end. Before finalizing any of these actions, the law says the EPA must propose its changes, justify them with science and the law, and listen to the public and respond to its concerns. NRDC’s scientists and lawyers will be there to fight back at every step of the way.”   

NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 3 million members and online activists. Established in 1970, NRDC uses science, policy, law and people power to confront the climate crisis, protect public health and safeguard nature. NRDC has offices in New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Beijing and Delhi (an office of NRDC India Pvt. Ltd).