Thread by @NRDC

BREAKING: Today, @NRDC and a coalition of environmental justice, climate justice, and public interest advocacy groups petitioned the @EPA to issue an emergency rule to protect public health during COVID-19 pandemic.

THREAD ->

@EPA Last week, @EPA announced a non-enforcement policy that encourages industries to stop monitoring and reporting pollution in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. This is a dangerous mistake. on.nrdc.org/2QRUhxz

@EPA In its non-enforcement directive, EPA asks—but does not require—companies to inform the agency if they stop monitoring pollution for COVID-19-related reasons.

@EPA The EPA is using an unprecedented public health crisis to justify allowing polluters to put our health at even greater risk—at a time when we most need their protection.

@EPA People need accurate and timely information about their environment in order to protect themselves from pollution —especially in the midst of a pandemic that puts those with heart and lung disease at higher risk.

@EPA We are petitioning the EPA to issue a rule requiring any company that takes advantage of the policy to publicly disclose—in writing—when they stop monitoring or reporting their air and water pollution emissions, along with a detailed justification for doing so.

@EPA The petition urges EPA to notify the public by publishing that information within one day of notice from the companies. EPA should issue this final rule within seven days, as further delay could lead to widespread noncompliance, resulting in serious damage to public health.

@EPA “communities of color disproportionately live with higher levels of pollution close to their homes. And it’s especially egregious because these same communities face higher risks from COVID-19, as a result of pollution-related heart and lung problems."
— NRDC President @GinaNRDC

@EPA @GinaNRDC “This suspension of EPA enforcement adds a heightened anxiety to environmental justice communities, far too many of which live in fear of potential explosions at nearby industrial facilities.” — Michele Roberts, @StopToxics

@EPA @GinaNRDC @StopToxics “We demand EPA do its job and give frontline communities a fighting chance to live their power during these challenging times that require a Just Recovery, not a free pass for polluters.” @CJAOurPower Executive Director, Angela Adrar.

@EPA @GinaNRDC @StopToxics @CJAOurPower “Requiring transparency, as we request in this petition, is a simple but crucial way to make sure that enforcement gets back on track after the emergency ends.” — Robert Weissman, President of @Public_Citizen

@EPA @GinaNRDC @StopToxics @CJAOurPower @Public_Citizen Read the full petition to @EPA here: on.nrdc.org/2R2NLnU