EDF, Partners Urge D.C. Circuit to Deny Latest Attempt to Undermine Protections from Oil and Gas Pollution

(Washington, D.C. – July 11, 2017) Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) and other health and environmental groups filed a response with the U.S.  Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit today opposing EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt’s latest attempt to undermine public health protections from oil and gas pollution.

On July 3^rd, in an important victory for clean air and public health, the D.C. Circuit blocked Administrator Pruitt from suspending standards that keep pollution from the oil and gas industry out of the air we breathe. 

At the same time, the court also issued a mandate that ensures the clean air standards deliver pollution reductions as long planned. On Friday, in an extraordinarily unusual step, Administrator Pruitt filed a motion to recall the mandate.

Today EDF and its allies filed a forceful response opposing that motion. A coalition of 15 states and cities has also filed a response opposing Administrator Pruitt’s request.

“The court ruled that Administrator Pruitt’s unilateral attempt to suspend these vital clean air standards was ‘unreasonable,’ ‘unlawful,’ ‘arbitrary and capricious.’ Now, after his argument to the court failed, Administrator Pruitt wants to achieve the goals of his unlawful stay by delaying the mandate instead. It’s a maneuver that would defy the spirit of the court’s decision, and would put the health of American families at risk,” said EDF Lead Attorney Peter Zalzal.

The court has ordered Administrator Pruitt to reply by tomorrow.

Meanwhile, yesterday Americans from across the country attended a public hearing to voice their strong objections to Administrator Pruitt’s proposal to suspend these same protections for two years. (All Americans can send comments to EPA through August 9^th)