Trump Administration Rollback of Environmental, Health and Safety Standards Puts Polluter Interests Ahead of the National Parks

WASHINGTON – Yesterday, the Departments of Interior and Commerce, and the Environmental Protection Agency, released their final recommendations for rescinding or revising environmental, health, and safety standards which the agencies assert burden fossil fuel use. The reports were ordered by President Trump’s March 2017 Presidential Executive Order on Promoting Energy Independence and Economic Growth. That Order rescinded numerous climate and energy policies of the previous administration and instructed federal agencies to “eliminate or alleviate” any policies that “potentially burden domestic energy development.” The reports released yesterday by Interior, EPA, and Commerce were crafted largely outside the public view and seek to advance a vast wish list of regulatory rollbacks long sought by the fossil fuel industry.

Statement by Mark Wenzler, Senior Vice President for Conservation Programs, National Parks Conservation Association

“It is deeply troubling that President Trump’s political appointees view the protection of national park air and water, and the experience of visiting our national parks, as a ‘burden.’ National park protection is the legal and moral responsibility of the federal agencies charged with their care.

“There is no inherent conflict between responsible energy development and protection of our air, water, endangered species and park lands. The administration cannot and should not use energy as an excuse to advance a vast fossil industry wish list of regulatory rollbacks. The agenda outlined in the agencies’ reports will almost certainly bring unrestrained industrial energy development to the lands and waters at the doorsteps of America’s national parks.

“The agencies’ reports were prepared largely outside of public view and without consulting or reflecting key stakeholders’ interests, such as national park superintendents, local business owners or the outdoor recreation industry. It seems apparent that the reports agenda will serve one interest above all others — the fossil fuel industry.”

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About National Parks Conservation Association: Since 1919, the nonpartisan National Parks Conservation Association has been the leading voice in safeguarding our national parks. NPCA and its more than 1.3 million members and supporters work together to protect and preserve our nation’s natural, historic, and cultural heritage for future generations. For more information, visit www.npca.org.