The Trump administration’s pledge to shut down the Environmental Protection Agency’s science research department in the U.S. is a sign that the new-look EPA works on behalf of polluters, the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) has said.
The EPA’s Office of Research and Development employs toxicologists, biologists and other scientists, and the EDF believes the decision to close the facility is ‘reckless and dangerous’, it said in a statement.
‘Dismantling independent science’
“EPA’s science-backed protections are what stand between families and the toxic pollution in our air and water that can make us sick,” commented Sarah Vogel, senior vice president, Healthy Communities, at the EDF, adding that the move is “yet another step the administration is taking to fundamentally dismantle independent science in this country – the science essential to keeping Americans safe.”
According to Vogel, weakening these protections could result in more pollution-related health issues, including increased asthma cases and cancer rates, as well as premature deaths.
“This reckless move away from science-based decision making is the latest sign the Trump administration’s policies benefit the most irresponsible polluters instead of American families,” she said.
Earlier this month, the EPA announced plans to end enforcement of methane rules for the oil and gas industry, while other moves have included the removal of federal protections for wetlands.
Coal power plants
Elsewhere, the EDF commented on the Trump administration’s use of emergency powers to mandate electricity production from coal-fired power plants, a move that the environmental group says would lead to both higher electricity bills and an increase in pollution.
“Last year, clean energy produced more power than coal across the U.S. while creating lots of homegrown jobs. That’s because clean energy is abundant, affordable, reliable and safe,” commented Vickie Patton, general counsel, EDF.
“Dictating the use of more coal would essentially be a huge tax on the American people, increasing electricity costs and health care costs. It would hurt American families and take the U.S. in the wrong direction.” Read more here and here.
