Press Releases

LCV Statement on Trump Administration Decision to Disregard Science and Not Strengthen Air Quality Standards

Dec 7, 2020

Courtnee Connon, 727-744-4163, courtnee_connon@lcv.org

Washington, D.C. – In response to the Trump administration’s catastrophic, un-scientific decision to retain rather than strengthen the Particulate Matter National Ambient Air Quality Standards (PM NAAQS), the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) released the following statement from Legislative Director and former EPA health scientist Matthew Davis:

“After mishandling a deadly respiratory pandemic that is exacerbated by air pollution, the last thing the Trump administration should be doing is making it harder to breathe by maintaining inadequate protections from soot pollution against their own scientists’ recommendations. When ‘sufficient’ still puts the health and lives of children and communities of color at risk, it is not good enough. 

“This rule is a direct attack on communities of color and low-income communities who are more likely to be subjected to high-level pollution areas and children who have developing lungs. The complete disregard for science and public health shown by this refusal to make our air cleaner is shameful.

“Trump’s rush to roll back more environmental protections on his way out further underscores the need for an all-of-government response to environmental injustice and the climate crisis from the Biden-Harris administration.”

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