Trump administration dismantles environmental protections, federal fuel economy standards amidst COVID-19 crisis

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The Michigan League of Conservation Voters today issued the following statement after President Trump’s administration made two announcements within days of each other to dismantle public health and environmental protections, and weaken federal fuel economy standards aimed at addressing the climate crisis.

 

“No one in leadership should be using the coronavirus pandemic as an opportunity to jam through unpopular, pro-polluter measures that are detrimental to the long-term health of Michiganders and our water, air and land,” said Lisa Wozniak, executive director of Michigan LCV. “It is reckless to barrel forward on stripping crucial fuel economy standards that are helping save our planet. It is foolish to suspend enforcement of environmental protections that clean up toxic contamination in our drinking water and lakes. We are dumb-founded by these actions, which only further exacerbate threats to our families’ health while a deadly virus rages.”

 

Late last week, the White House announced that the Environmental Protection Agency will suspend enforcement of environmental rules at the request of the oil and gas industry. The sweeping order impacts a variety of sectors and key functions, including monitoring and testing of air and water quality and enforcement of violations.