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Democrats Voice Concerns Over EPA Policies Amid Environmental Deregulation

A coalition of 180 Democratic lawmakers expressed their concerns in a recent letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin regarding new policies enacted during the Trump administration. The group includes prominent figures such as Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (N.Y.), Sheldon Whitehouse (R.I.), House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (N.Y.), and Don Beyer (Va.).

In their letter, the legislators criticized the administration’s efforts to deregulate the environmental sector, arguing that these changes undermine the nation’s transition to cleaner energy. “While countries around the world are clamoring for cleaner, cheaper, and more innovative technologies, you are actively hamstringing America’s homegrown clean energy industry, which has already injected $422 billion and 400,000 jobs into our economy in just the past two and a half years,” they wrote.

The lawmakers also highlighted their concerns about the potential negative impact of the administration’s policies on public health. “This is anything but unleashing American energy. At the same time, instead of lowering costs for American families, your actions will result in the opposite. Americans’ medical expenses will increase because your Polluters First agenda will allow particulate matter and other hazardous air pollution to go unchecked,” they continued.

According to the Democrats, Zeldin’s approach favors “the special interest of big polluters” over the health and well-being of American families. In earlier statements, Zeldin had outlined plans to roll back regulations established during the Biden administration aimed at combating pollution and climate change, claiming that such measures are necessary to bolster the American economy through enhanced manufacturing and production.

“For every $1 the country spends to reduce air pollution, it’s estimated to yield $30 in economic benefits in return. Yet, you chose to unleash more air pollutants that are linked to Alzheimer’s, miscarriages, and childhood asthma, as well as other public health concerns,” the lawmakers pointed out in their correspondence. They warned that these decisions would unnecessarily elevate American families’ exposure to harmful pollutants, potentially increasing healthcare costs for treatment of pollution-related illnesses.

Democrats have consistently opposed the Trump administration’s revisions to environmental protection standards, hoping to persuade the administration to reconsider its deregulatory stance. However, despite these vocal objections, President Trump has demonstrated no indications of reversing the proposed policies.

The Hill has reached out to the EPA for comments on the matter.

Source
thehill.com