Washington, DC — Today, the Department of the Interior will hold the second of two public hearings on Donald Trump’s proposed rollbacks to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). If implemented, these sweeping changes would mean federal agencies don’t have to consider the climate impacts of new infrastructure projects and would severely restrict input from fenceline communities.
Greenpeace USA Senior Climate Campaigner John Noël said:
“Fossil fuel infrastructure projects are overwhelmingly located in underrepresented, working class communities. No oil company wants to put an oil well on top of a Trump golf course, or a fracked gas compressor station next to Mar a Lago — they’re building pipelines through Indigenous territory and refineries next to Black and Brown neighborhoods. Based on its attempts to roll back NEPA, it’s clear the Trump administration views these communities as sacrifice zones.
“Gutting NEPA is an attempt to silence the communities on the frontlines of fossil fuel industry pollution. If Trump truly cared about clean air and water for anyone other than his billionaire buddies, he’d strengthen laws like NEPA. Instead, he’s handing out favors to oil and gas executives like candy.”
ENDS
About the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA):
Since 1970, NEPA has required federal agencies to go through a review process and identify the environmental, economic, social, or health impacts of new infrastructure projects before construction. In many cases, it’s the only law that gives frontline communities a chance to weigh in on federal projects that could impact their health and safety.
More information at: https://protectnepa.org/what-
Contact: Ryan Schleeter, Senior Communications Specialist, Greenpeace USA: +1 (415) 342-2386, [email protected]
