Instead of an environmental dream team, the incoming cabinet picks are shaping up to be a nightmare squad that could have devastating and long-term effects for our region, including damage to air quality, funding to protect Long Island Sound, and protections for healthy drinking water.
And the bench just keeps getting deeper and deeper with big oil magnates, climate deniers, and fossil fuel advocates.
Here’s the lineup so far.
Environmental Protection Agency
Scott Pruitt, a fossil fuel insider and foe of environmental regulation, has been nominated to lead the EPA. Pruitt, attorney general of Oklahoma, has a long history of trying to dismantle environmental protections including EPA clean water rules, Clean Air Act regulation, and the Clean Power Plan. CFE/Save the Sound will be sending a letter to our region’s senators in strong opposition of Pruitt. You can sign it here (letter closes Friday at noon).
Department of Energy
Former Texas Governor Rick Perry has been tapped to run the Department of Energy, the very agency he stated he wants to dismantle.
Department of the Interior
Montana Rep. Ryan Zinke, who supports the Keystone pipeline and coal extraction and has a 3% voting score from the League of Conservation Voters, was recently chosen to serve as secretary of the DOI.
Secretary of State
Rex Tillerson, CEO of Exxon, is the likely next Secretary of State. He will be ready to promote fossil fuel interests around the world and has stated humans should just adapt to climate change.
Scientists are so worried about this potential nightmare team they have begun copying all scientific climate data to ensure the information is protected and available to the public in the coming years.
You might not be able to rely on the federal government to protect your environmental future, but you can count on us. We will be working around the clock to safeguard and strengthen the state and local policies that protect your air, land, and water. The states’ role in environmental issues will be more important than ever before; they will need to serve as a backstop to damaging policies and regulatory rollbacks.
Here at CFE/Save the Sound, we have your back and will continue fighting for a healthy and sustainable future.