The EPA press releases were issued like thunderclaps Wednesday afternoon - boom, boom, boom:
EPA Announces Action to Implement POTUS’s Termination of Biden-Harris Electric Vehicle Mandate
Trump EPA Announces Reconsideration of Burdensome Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program
Administrator Zeldin Takes Action to Decrease Risk of Future Catastrophic Wildfires (“Exceptional Events”)
EPA Announces Action to Address Costly Obama, Biden “Climate” Measurements (Social Cost of Carbon)
Trump EPA to Reconsider Biden-Harris MATS Regulation That Targeted Coal-Fired Power Plants to be Shut Down
Trump EPA Announces Reconsideration of Air Rules Regulating American Energy, Manufacturing, Chemical Sectors (NESHAPs)
Administrator Zeldin Takes Action to Prioritize Cooperative Federalism, Improve Air Quality Faster
Administrator Zeldin Directs Enforcement Resources to Align with Executive Orders and EPA’s Core Mission
EPA Terminates Biden’s Environmental Justice, DEI Arms of Agency
Trump EPA Announces Path Forward on National Air Quality Standards for Particulate Matter (PM2.5) to Aid Manufacturing, Small Businesses
EPA Launches Biggest Deregulatory Action in U.S. History
Trump EPA Announces Plan to Work with States on SIPs to Improve Air Quality and Reconsider “Good Neighbor Plan”
Yes, yinz can file this all under "I" for insane. The flurry of “news” gave a certain…vibe.
And as your friendly neighborhood air quality watch dogs since 1969, we want to take a skinny minute to implore you to take a deep breath (for real, we’re not being flippant), lower your shoulders, and exhale.
We know it’s A LOT. But here’s the thing: All that “news” was big on shock value but short on details. Are we concerned? Absolutely. But do we think the chaos is intentional? You betcha.
Here’s how PublicSource put it:
The EPA didn't provide details about what it wants to do with the regulations — whether it will try to weaken them or eliminate them entirely. In most cases, the agency said it is reconsidering rules that apply to things like climate pollution from vehicles and power plants, wastewater from coal plants and air pollution from the energy and manufacturing sectors.
The EPA is referring to yesterday’s action as “the largest deregulatory announcement in U.S. history” adding that “today the green new scam ends, as the EPA does its part to usher in a golden age of American success.”
But here’s the thing: In the United States we have this thing called “procedure.” And the flurry of EPA releases didn’t address any of that.
Here’s how the New York Times put it:
The announcements do not carry the force of law. In almost every case, the E.P.A. would have to undergo a lengthy process of public comment and develop environmental and economic justifications for the change
What’s the takeaway here? Please don’t panic. That’s exactly what the new administration wants us to do - to be desperate, to be afraid. It wants us to flail and froth at the mouth.
What they aren’t counting on is an educated public armed with the knowledge and resources they need to fight back against their onslaught of propaganda and scare tactics.
Listen, we’re not channeling our inner Pollyanna here. We just wanted to remind you that we still live in a country with checks and balances, despite what the keyboard bullies behind those politically charged press releases want you to believe.
We also wanted to gently remind folks that GASP has been the air quality nonprofit of record in our region since 1969 for a reason: We not only understand the big picture, we specialize in the nuance that environmental foes try to exploit.
Do we have a panic button? Absolutely. Is it time to push it? Not yet.
Please know that GASP is following these national issues closely, and will report back to you on how they will - or may - play out on the local level.
That’s all for now. Take care and keep your chin up.
In Solidarity,
The Gang at GASP