EPA’s Attempt to Weaken Clean Water Act is an Egregious Handout to Polluting Fossil Fuel Corporations

Washington, D.C. – Yesterday EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler signed a new regulatory rollback of Clean Water Act protections in an attempt to implement a new approach to permitting dangerous fossil fuel infrastructure projects that would weaken the ability of states to protect their waters. In response, Food & Water Watch Executive Director Wenonah Hauter issued the following statement:

“This latest attempt by the Trump administration to circumvent a fundamental environmental protection law should be seen for what it is: an egregious handout to corporate fossil fuel polluters. The Clean Water Act is responsible for many of the most important improvements in public health and safety for generations. Any effort to strip its power is an affront to common sense and our overall wellbeing.

“For an administration that claims to prioritize states’ rights, this attempted power grab at the expense of state-based clean water oversight is the epitome of hypocrisy.

“At a time when we must be turning decisively away from climate-killing fossil fuels, this attempt by the Trump administration to ease the path for new oil and gas pipelines is simply reckless and foolhardy. We will pursue all available tools - legal, legislative, and otherwise - to ensure that states maintain the power to reject dangerous, polluting fossil fuel projects within their borders.”

Contact: Seth Gladstone - sgladstone[at]fwwatch[dot]org, 917.363.6615