Rudhdi Karnik, rudhdi.karnik@sierraclub.org, 202-495-3055
WASHINGTON D.C.-- Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Chief Environmental Justice Official Mustafa Ali announced his resignation after 24 years of service, as new EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt and Donald Trump prepare major cuts to programs that serve poor and minority communities.
In response, Sierra Club’s Environmental Justice Director Leslie Fields released the following statement:
“We heartily thank Mustafa Ali for his twenty-four years of persistent fighting to improve the lives of low-income communities and communities of color, which are at the frontlines of dealing with the negative health effects of fossil fuel industry pollution and climate change. Ali elevated the environmental justice work of the EPA nationwide and fought to incorporate the struggles, accomplishments, and contributions from impacted communities in policy and practice.
“We are devastated to lose such a dedicated public servant while new EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt and Donald Trump prepare to gut life-saving programs that serve low-income and people of color communities. We strongly urge Scott Pruitt to listen to Mustafa’s parting words to reconsider these crucial environmental justice programs that protect those Americans that need help the most. Protecting vital EPA environmental justice programs comes down to nothing less than saving American lives.”