Trump’s EPA is Working Hard to Make Drinking Water Less Safe by Stripping Protections from Toxic PFAS
tags
Washington, DC – Donald Trump’s Environmental Protection Agency is stripping protections against toxic chemicals, also known as PFAS. These so-called “forever chemicals” are harmful pollutants that contaminate drinking water and are linked to serious health effects, including cancer and increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. The move is yet another example of how Trump and Lee Zeldin are putting the needs of their ultra-wealthy supporters over the health of the American people.
Climate Power Senior Advisor Alex Witt issued the following statement: “Apparently, under Trump, ‘EPA’ stands for ‘Exempt Polluters Agency’. Trump promised to ‘Make America Healthy Again’ – but instead, his administration is going to let polluters off the hook for putting toxic chemicals into our water. This move will put millions of Americans at risk of dangerous illnesses, all to allow billionaire corporations to pad their bottom lines while families pay the price with their health.”
Donald Trump and Lee Zeldin are allowing corporate polluters to pump toxins into our water and making Americans sicker:
- At least 73 million Americans are served by water systems with at least one sample above the EPA’s PFAS threshold.
- Trump’s EPA announced it would reconsider wastewater standards for the oil and gas industry, which prevented the pollution of wastewater.
- Trump’s EPA announced it would update protections requiring the safe disposal of coal ash from power plants. These protections provided up to $80 million in annual benefits, reduced arsenic in drinking water, and reduced mercury and lead exposure.
- Trump’s EPA asked a federal court to reverse its own rules regulating PFAS in drinking water.
- The Trump administration held up loans that were aimed at upgrading wastewater and drinking water treatment systems.
- Trump’s EPA proposed a rule to limit states’ ability to block, under the Clean Water Act, the construction of pipelines, coal export terminals, and other polluting energy projects.
- The Trump administration has streamlined permitting for oil pipelines and data centers that disturb wetlands and streams.