Don't let the White House gut EPA

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Published on Wednesday, 22 March 2017 12:15

Written by editor

r1 ... EPA budget cuts would undermine protections for millions

Dear Paov,

Last week, the Trump Administration proposed cuts to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that would hobble the agency’s ability to do its job.

We’re not being overly dramatic here. If this new budget goes forward, EPA’s scientific capacity will be gutted and the health of children, workers and communities across the country will be at risk.

Help us tell budget leaders in Congress that this is a very bad idea. The proposed EPA cuts are short-sighted, foolhardy and unacceptable.

We know EPA isn't perfect — we've been pushing them to do a better job for years. But no one voted for contaminated air and water, or for rolling back rules that protect children and workers from health-harming pesticides.

EPA has long been a favorite punching bag for small-government advocates, which is why it’s being targeted for especially deep cuts now: a whopping 31 percent. This is higher than cuts to any other agency — though EPA already has one of the smallest budgets on the block.

The agency's scientific research office would be slashed by more than 40 percent; one anonymous EPA scientist predicts this would cause the entire program to “implode.” Other targeted programs include environmental justice and climate change.

Public policies should be driven by scientific evidence and equity, not corporate bottom lines. Sign and share our petition to congressional budget leaders today.

The science on the harms of pesticides to our health, pollinators, water, soil and air has never been stronger. We need EPA to be a strong, powerful protector of communities across the country.

Look for more opportunities to push back in the coming weeks — and thank you for speaking up!

r2