Washington, D.C. — In response to the Trump administration’s finalized rule gutting the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the law that requires the federal government to consider the environmental impacts of its decisions and the input of the public and affected communities, the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) released the following statement from President Gene Karpinski:

“President Trump continues to show that he values polluter profits far more than the health and safety of our families. Today’s changes to the implementation of the National Environmental Policy Act perpetuate environmental racism. This move undermines communities’ ability to have a voice in major construction projects in their own backyards — especially low-income and communities of color that are often targeted by the fossil fuel industry and other heavy industry. Both the climate crisis and the pandemic remind us why we need critical transparency, community review, and protections envisioned in the National Environmental Policy Act now more than ever. 

“The pro-environment led House has a plan to rebuild our country and keep communities safe – why won’t Trump support the Moving Forward Act instead? Rolling back the National Environmental Policy Act is an unnecessary, dangerous step in the wrong direction.”

# # #