Republicans Seek to Weaken Clean Air Act Under the Guise of “Permitting Reform”

WASHINGTON, DC—Today, the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on the Environment will mark up a package of bills that would weaken the Clean Air Act. Together, the bills would create new loopholes and procedures to fast-track permits for large industrial projects regardless of the risk of increased pollution. The markup occurs as Congress is voting on numerous permitting bills that would weaken other environmental laws like the Clean Water Act and National Environmental Policy Act.   

In anticipation of the markup, Earthjustice Action Senior Legislative Representative Liz Ruben issued the following statement:  

“Once again Republicans can’t help themselves from doing the bidding of industry. Fresh off the Trump EPA’s abandonment of its defense of national soot pollution standards that protect public health, Republicans are pushing policies to gut the Clean Air Act in the name of ‘expediency’ and ‘permitting reform’ to achieve a long-held deregulatory agenda that sacrifices the health and safety of families and communities. The bills will only result in dirtier air and more health challenges, including life-threatening and chronic illnesses, for those already living with the dire impacts of toxic pollution. Congress cannot allow the public, and especially vulnerable communities already overburdened by pollution, to pay the price for polluting industries to increase their profits.” 

Earthjustice Action joined over 65 organizations in sending a letter of opposition to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce opposing the Air Permitting Improvements to Protect National Security Act.