Adam Beitman, adam.beitman@sierraclub.org or 202-670-5585
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Lawyers for massive corporate polluters are bragging in the New York Times that a new policy about to be put forward by former coal lobbyist and current EPA administrator Andrew Wheeler will enable them to have fewer hurdles when seeking permission to pollute communities across the country but cutting those communities out of the process.
As reported by the Times, “The Environmental Protection Agency is preparing to weaken rules that for the past quarter-century have given communities a voice in deciding how much pollution may legally be released by nearby power plants and factories.
“The changes would eliminate the ability of individuals or community advocates to appeal against E.P.A.-issued pollution permits before a panel of agency judges. However, the industrial permit-holders could still appeal to the panel, known as the Environmental Appeals Board, to allow them to increase their pollution.”
In Response, Sierra Club Executive Director Michael Brune released the following statement:
“This policy represents everything that is wrong with the Trump administration: it is literally designed to cut communities out of the process of deciding how much pollution will be forced upon them, all while letting polluters have their say. No wonder corporate lawyers are openly bragging about how easy this will make it for their clients to pollute at will. You couldn’t dream up a more regressive approach if you tried, or one which hits low-income communities and communities of color so hard. That’s why this rule change needs to be stopped in its tracks.”
###
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.5 million members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.