What’s happening nationally and how it may impact Utahns (EPA) 

“The EPA might as well just rename themselves the Polluter Protection Agency, because time and again they have demonstrated they are not the least bit interested in doing their job of protecting Americans from pollution or environmental contaminants,” our board president Dr. Brian Moench recently said. 

His comments came after the news that the Trump Administration is proposing changes to the EPA rule that helps protect workers and residents from chemical disasters. The changes proposed pose serious, irreversible risks. The changes could end the requirement that chemical facilities put safer technologies or other safer measures in place, and wouldn’t require companies to plan or assess for natural hazards. 

Simultaneously, the EPA under the Trump Administration is repealing the “endangerment finding,” a key component of the Clean Air Act that allows for federal regulations of greenhouse gas emissions. The endangerment finding established that greenhouse gasses pose a threat to public health. Reducing requirements on the fossil fuel industry is a clear assault on the public. The Trump Administration is prioritizing industry profits and removing public health protection measures. 

How can our government protect us from industry polluters without the ability to regulate emissions? These industries have a long-proven track record of willingness to risk communities. These regulations are the only protection we had from greedy corporations polluting our air, water, homes, and accelerating us towards all of the threats of the climate crisis at full speed. 

There is still hope, because there is still you, and we are going to continue to fight for you. Every individual can take their own actions to safeguard their communities, and although they feel futile in the face of such large federal setbacks, they can still make a huge difference locally. Opting for public transit when possible, opting for electric when possible (like lawn equipment), reducing energy consumption. 

Supporting our work has never been more important. We educate, we advocate and when necessary, we litigate. And we will continue to do so to protect you and your families health.