As Donald Trump’s allies prepare for his potential return to the presidency, Republican leaders target U.S. Environmental Protection Agency policies regulating PFAS and other environmental standards.
Tom Perkins reports for The Guardian.
In short:
- Republican lawmakers are challenging EPA scientific integrity policies, claiming they block the Trump administration's goals.
- Senator Shelley Moore Capito criticizes new PFAS drinking water limits as too stringent and costly, aligning with industry arguments.
- Despite scientific support for the rules, industry-funded dissent and lobbying aim to undo PFAS regulations.
Key quote:
“They want to clear out all potential obstacles.”
— Jeff Ruch, Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility
Why this matters:
Weakening EPA standards could increase human exposure to PFAS, known as "forever chemicals," linked to serious health risks like cancer and developmental issues. Regulatory rollbacks may also leave taxpayers responsible for pollution cleanups instead of polluters.
