Under the Trump administration, the Environmental Protection Agency has become notorious for its catastrophic deregulatory actions led by EPA Administrator, Lee Zeldin. In just the past two months, the Trump EPA has abandoned its responsibility to protect American’s health and the environment by reversing critical climate regulations.
EPA stops considering the value of human life
In late January, the New York Times reported that the EPA stopped considering the economic health effects of particulate matter. The EPA claimed in their January regulatory impact analysis, that the monetary equivalence of health benefits cannot be certain. This determination has led the agency to eliminate the consideration of health benefits in cost-benefit analysis of new and existing regulations.
Although the dollar value placed on American’s lives has varied across administrations, no administration has ever set the value to zero. Without the inclusion of health benefit savings, the EPA cannot evaluate the true impact of setting pollution limits that help prevent asthma attacks and premature deaths.
This moves alone, makes it clear that the Trump EPA prioritizes economic interests of fossil fuel companies over millions of American’s health.
EPA sued for repeal of 2009 Endangerment Finding
On Feb. 12, Zeldin announced the repeal of the 2009 Endangerment Finding, arguing that the Clean Air Act “does not provide statutory authority for EPA to prescribe motor vehicle and engine emission standards.”
Within six days, a health and environmental coalition filed a lawsuit against the EPA for illegally terminating the finding. Coalition member, Environmental Defense Fund, outlined the absurdity of the EPA’s repeal. Their press release claims that agency is “rehashing legal arguments that the Supreme Court already considered and rejected in Massachusetts v. EPA.”
In the 2007 case, the Supreme Court determined carbon dioxide, and other greenhouse gases classified as air pollutants under the Clean Air Act. From there, the Obama EPA made the scientific determination that those pollutants endangered public health.
The 2009 Endangerment Finding established a legal and scientific basis for the regulation of greenhouse gases to protect the “welfare of current and future generations.” It also set the stage for the EPA to promote clean vehicle standards and cutbacks on tailpipe pollution which make up the primary source of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions.
Yet, the Trump EPA has neglected this information. The agency has claimed that the elimination of the finding and its corresponding regulations will save “American taxpayers over $1.3 trillion,” despite putting millions of Americans’ health at risk.
EPA rolls back Biden-era Mercury Standards
The agency’s latest move struck down Biden-era Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS). The Biden-era rule was estimated to save $300 million in health benefits and $130 million in climate benefits. The Trump EPA reaffirmed Obama’s 2012 MATS rule for providing “an ample margin of safety to protect public health.”
Past EPA reports acknowledge that coal power plants “are responsible for nearly half of all mercury emissions in the United States.” Yet, under the 2012 rule, coal plants will no longer be required to continuously monitor emissions from their smokestacks. This alone makes it clear that 2012 MATS rule cannot sufficiently protect the health of future generations.
Weakening coal plant mercury standards is particularly dangerous for women and children, putting them at risk for damage to the nervous system, brain and kidneys. This rollback also leaves Americans exposed to fine particulate matter which can result in asthma, heart and lung disease and premature death.
Despite this compromising American’s health, the Trump EPA claims the rollback will save companies $670 million and lower the cost of living for Americans.
Who will pay the price?
With the EPA no longer considering the value of human life, and its recent rollbacks, Americans cannot count on the current administration to protect their health or the environment. The Trump EPA has abandoned its founding principles and continues to sympathize with the fossil fuel industry. Unfortunately, it is future generations of Americans who will bear the burden and pay the price of the Trump EPA’s deregulatory agenda.
