Pallone Denounces Trump EPA’s Rollback of Power Plant & Mercury Standards

Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) released the following statement today denouncing the Trump Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for rolling back carbon pollution standards and mercury standards for fossil fuel power plants:

“With this action today, the Trump Administration is making Americans sicker, our air dirtier, and our economy less competitive.  Power plants are the second-largest source of carbon pollution in the United States, and this rollback will allow this dangerous pollution to once again go unchecked.  It’s clear the Trump EPA cares more about protecting polluters’ profits than the communities and Americans who will bear the brunt of this dangerous decision.     

“It’s also absolutely shocking that anyone in the year 2025 could look around and honestly say that the climate crisis – and those spewing significant carbon pollution – are not harming Americans, but that’s exactly what the Trump Administration is saying with this rollback. The Administration is flat out wrong when it uses illogical and baseless claims to deny the EPA’s authority and obligation to regulate these sources under the Clean Air Act. 

“The Trump Administration’s mercury rollback shows what little regard it has for the health and safety of the American people, particularly pregnant women and kids. It threatens all the progress we’ve made in reducing toxic mercury pollution from our air, water, and land, and will undoubtedly cost lives.   

“Democrats will continue to fight for cleaner air, better health, a safer climate, and a stronger economy.”       

###