Ozone you didn’t! EPA Air Boss Announces Dirty Air Agenda

Every week, it seems like another decision that endangers our families comes out of Scott Pruitt’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Too much of it is thanks to Scott Pruitt’s right hand man, Bill Wehrum.

Remember him? He heads EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation -- the office meant to keep our air clean and safe to breathe. Before his current gig, Wehrum was a lobbyist for coal, oil, gas, and chemical companies. Ironically, he’s said that the Clean Air Act shouldn't apply to the carbon pollution that contributes to the climate crisis and fuels superstorms like Hurricane Harvey. His apparent disdain for clean air is probably why, when he was nominated to the very same position in 2006, his nomination was withdrawn after he failed to earn the support of the 60 Senators needed for confirmation. Sadly, the Republican controlled Senate rushed through his confirmation this time around so he could join Pruitt among Trump’s collection of dirty deputies.

Now that Wehrum is at EPA, he’s laying out his and Pruitt’s joint priorities. And, they are dangerous to all of us. Given his work history, it’s no surprise Wehrum’s put 6 key clean air and climate safeguards on the chopping block. Here’s a look at what he’s targeting and how it could hurt our communities:

1. Clean Power Plan
   The Clean Power Plan would prevent 3,600 premature deaths and 90,000 asthma attacks every year by 2030, but Wehrum would rather throw it out.

2. Mercury and Toxic Standards
   The Mercury Air Toxics Standards that Wherum wants to shred would prevent 11,000 premature deaths, more than 100,000 asthma and heart attacks each year, and save taxpayers roughly $90 billion in healthcare costs annually. These safeguards protect kids and communities from dangerous pollution and neurotoxins, like mercury, that impair child brain development.

3. National Air Pollution Limits for Ozone
   The national ambient air quality standards for ground-level ozone that the EPA is delaying could prevent up to 660 premature deaths and 230,000 asthma attacks annually. Delaying them puts children and other vulnerable individuals at risk from harmful air pollution, and limits opportunities for people to make informed decisions on air quality in their community.

4. Permitting Under EPA’s New Source Review Program (NSR)
   Under Wehrum’s new rules, the EPA will no longer bring NSR enforcement actions until after the public is exposed to increased pollution, putting our communities at risk of exposure to dangerous pollutants from power plants before anything can be done about it. They’d also give polluters a loophole to avoid tougher rules on pollution when building new polluting plants or updating existing ones.

5. Methane Rule for Oil and Gas Production
   The Methane Rule for Oil and Gas Production requires oil and gas companies to detect and repair leaks of methane and other air pollution at new operations. But Wehrum would rather dangerous  leaks go undetected or unrepaired, in order to help fracked gas companies profit.

6. Emissions Standards for Cars and Trucks
   Cars and Trucks are the biggest contributors to climate disruption, but Wehrum wants to roll back the standards that keep oil in the ground, save consumers money at the pump, and decrease dangerous climate emissions.

Wehrum is going after some of our nation’s best defenses against air, water, and climate pollution. Pollution-free clean air should be the standard for Americans everywhere but if Wehrum has his way, thousands more Americans will get sick. Take action against these attacks on our air, water and climate by telling the EPA to keep our clean cars standards strong.