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WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-MI) issued the following statement after the Trump Administration announced significant rollbacks of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Dingell will soon be introducing a resolution opposing these changes.

“For fifty years, the National Environmental Policy Act has been the bedrock of conservation law and preserved the environment, human health, and the people’s voice in policy decisions. NEPA’s directive is clear: the government must consider how a project will affect the environment, and communities and people affected by the projects must have a fair chance to weigh in on its merits. NEPA – which John worked for years to pass, and was signed by President Nixon – holds polluters accountable and protects endangered species, water quality, and the environment.

“This is real. In my district a few years ago, an energy company applied to waive odorization requirements for a natural gas pipeline that went past schools. Without odor added, children and their teachers outside at recess would have no idea if there was a leak and the air they were breathing was dangerous.

“The Trump Administration’s proposal to rollback NEPA and no longer consider climate change impacts is a serious assault on the environment. This decision will also lead to more species becoming endangered. Now is the time to exercise serious oversight that ensures the Administration abides by the law and ensure all communities have a voice in decisions that impact them.”

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