Complete list of press releases

(NEW YORK – Jan. 3, 2019) Environmental Defense Fund is pleased to announce that Elizabeth Brooke Stein, the organization’s Senior Manager for New York Clean Energy Law & Policy has been named to Crain’s New York Business’ list of Notable Women in Law. The 112-lawyer list features the distinguished careers and civic activities of attorneys who’ve had a major impact in New York City.

“It’s an honor to be included in Crains’ Notable Women in Law list alongside so many other distinguished attorneys,” said Stein. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to advocate for environmentally and economically sound policies and practices, and to my colleagues for their shared commitment to addressing challenging environmental problems.”

Stein focuses on legal and policy advocacy for the development of a clean energy system. She engages in state and regional proceedings to advocate for technology and practices that improve the electric system’s performance, and enable the use of more low-carbon and renewable energy resources. Since 2012, Stein and her colleagues in EDF’s New York office have been working to ensure that the post-Sandy transformation of New York’s electric system is built on a foundation of resiliency and sustainability, not just durability.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

"The choice of Rep. Kathy Castor to chair the Select Committee on the Climate Crisis demonstrates Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi's commitment to tackling climate change. Congresswoman Castor is a skilled legislator who understands the danger we face from climate change. We look forward to working with the Select Committee to focus on bold solutions that meet the scale of this enormous challenge, strengthen our economy and build on effective ideas developed in the states and around the world.

"As the recent National Climate Assessment made starkly clear, we must act quickly and ambitiously to reduce climate pollution. With the Trump administration ignoring this threat to our country, we are pleased that the new House of Representatives -- led by Nancy Pelosi and powered by committee leaders and the strong voices of new members – is choosing action over surrender.

"We are also heartened by the commitment of incoming Energy and Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone, and the leaders of other relevant committees, to move the House toward legislative solutions that benefit our economy, protect our children and secure a livable planet for the future."

- Elizabeth Gore, Senior Vice President, Political Affairs, Environmental Defense Fund

“In a move that’s both stunningly immoral and completely unnecessary, the Trump administration has formally proposed an attack on our nation’s vital protections against some of the most dangerous types of air pollution from coal plants.

“Trump’s EPA unveiled a proposal today that undermines the foundations of the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards – the safeguards that are successfully reducing poisonous coal plant pollutants, including mercury, lead, arsenic, and acid gases, in the air we breathe and the food we eat. Mercury and lead cause brain damage in babies. Other pollutants covered by the standards cause cancer. EPA’s own analysis shows the standards save up to 11,000 American lives each year. But EPA Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler is attacking the foundational building blocks for these critical protections.

“Wheeler is doing this in spite of the fact that almost no one wants it done. The power sector is already in compliance with the standards – which have already proven successful, and have reduced mercury pollution from power plants by more than 80 percent since they were finalized. Power sector leaders, labor leaders, the Chamber of Commerce, Members of Congress from both parties, health experts and many other Americans have all asked the Trump administration to leave the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards in place. In spite of that overwhelming opposition, and in spite of all common sense, Wheeler is plowing ahead.

“Trump’s EPA claims they aren’t undermining the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards themselves, they’re just reconsidering the basis for them. No one can truthfully claim they are demolishing the foundation of a building but they still expect the building to stand. This proposal puts the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards in danger, and we need the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards to keep our children safe.

“For reasons beyond comprehension, the Trump administration has made it a New Year’s resolution to put more mercury pollution in our air. At EDF, our New Year’s resolution is to stop them. We will do everything in our power to fight for the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards, and for the health and safety of our children.”

            - Fred Krupp, president of Environmental Defense Fund

(CHEYENNE, WY) The Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality finalized new standards today to reduce harmful emissions from the state's new and modified oil and gas facilities. The move from the Mead Administration is an important step toward comprehensive statewide emissions reduction rules, and comes in the wake of federal attempts to weaken our nation's pollution standards for new and modified wells.

Oil and gas companies across the state will be required to check new facilities regularly for leaks that create smog and waste valuable natural gas, depriving the state and local communities of significant royalty and tax revenue. The statewide standards build upon successful requirements implemented by the state in the Upper Green River Basin (UGRB) of Western Wyoming in 2015. A recent poll indicates two-thirds of Wyoming voters support the statewide extension of rules that prevent natural gas waste.

While the overwhelming majority of new drilling in Wyoming is occurring outside the UGRB – and will be subject to these new standards – this move will still leave the majority of Wyoming's existing oil and gas wells (75 percent) unaddressed.

"This action is the latest example of how Governor Mead has positioned Wyoming as an energy leader. These are commonsense standards supported by oil and gas companies because they include proven, affordable ways to reduce pollution and stop energy waste.

"EDF stands ready to work with the incoming administration and other Wyoming leaders to develop the strongest standards possible, including reducing emissions from the thousands of existing well sites across Wyoming."

• Jon Goldstein, Director of Regulatory and Legislative Affairs, Energy

(Washington, D.C. – December 21, 2018) The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit today announced that long-pending litigation over the Clean Power Plan, our only national limits on carbon pollution from existing power plants, would remain in abeyance for 60 more days.

The court also denied without comment a motion by EDF and a coalition of 17 states and the District of Columbia, six municipalities, and 14 other public health and environmental organizations to rule on the merits of the Clean Power Plan. At the same time, the court directed EPA to continue filing status reports every 30 days.

The full D.C. Circuit heard oral argument en banc in litigation over the Clean Power Plan more than two years ago – in September 2016. The court has yet to rule on the case.

“The Clean Power Plan is a vital tool to help us address the severe and growing threat of climate change,” said Tomás Carbonell, Directory of Regulator Policy and Lead Attorney for EDF, which is a party to the case. “We need to enforce the Clean Power Plan – and strengthen it – to protect American communities and all of our futures.”

The Clean Power Plan is the single largest step the U.S. has ever taken to address the threat of climate change. When fully implemented, it will reduce greenhouse gases from the power sector to 32 percent below 2005 levels – and will save up to 4,500 lives, prevent up to 90,000 childhood asthma attacks, and avoid more than 300,000 missed school and work days each year, according to EPA’s own analysis.

Opponents of the Clean Power Plan challenged it in court as soon as it was published in 2015. The Trump Administration has since filed requests for indefinite abeyance while it considers whether to roll back the Clean Power Plan. The court placed the case temporarily in abeyance starting in April 2017 but has repeatedly denied EPA’s request to put the case on hold indefinitely.

The Trump EPA has proposed a sham Clean Power Plan “replacement” that – compared to the original plan – would increase pollution and cost American lives, and does not fulfil EPA’s legal obligation, repeatedly upheld in court, to protect Americans from the dangers of climate pollution. In comments on the proposal, EDF explained how the replacement would be an appalling abandonment of EPA’s statutory responsibility. The replacement also completely disregards the public health impacts of climate change on American families.

“Earlier today, President Trump signaled he would not sign a short-term spending bill that would extend government funding until February 8, 2019. It has already been passed by the U.S. Senate. As the threat of a shutdown looms, the Environmental Defense Fund urges President Trump to avoid partisan games and work together to provide necessary funding to programs that are essential to protecting people’s health and the environment.

“Even a shutdown for a small amount of time can set administrative and organizational productivity back for weeks, preventing the public from accessing important information and delaying lifesaving activities at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). For example, the EPA would be forced to pause hazardous waste cleanups, regulatory inspections and approvals. Without these critical services, the true victim of a government shutdown is the American public. Moving the funding bill forward is necessary to our nationwide fight against threats to our health and environment.”

(WASHINGTON, DC) After passing Congress with historic levels of support – 369-47 in the House and 87-13 in the Senate – the 2018 farm bill was signed into law today by President Donald Trump. In response, Environmental Defense Fund President Fred Krupp released the following statement.

“This is an important step forward for our country. The farm bill is the largest source of funding for conservation on private lands in the U.S. The bipartisan bill rewards farmers for fighting climate change, preparing for extreme weather and protecting water quality.

“That it passed Congress with historic margins demonstrates that conservation remains a bedrock American value. It’s a testament to the powerful results we can achieve when both sides of the aisle work together to forge solutions that allow people and nature to prosper.

“We are grateful for the leadership of Sens. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) and Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) who championed a strong conservation title, and Reps. Collin Peterson (D-Minn.) and Mike Conaway (R-Texas) who delivered a record number of “yes” votes for a farm bill. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Rep. Jim Costa (D-Calif.) began a critical dialogue about the value of agricultural data for scaling sustainability and managing risk. Sens. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Stabenow strengthened and streamlined public-private partnerships. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D-N.M.) ensured that the U.S. Department of Agriculture adapts quickly to science and technology advancements. These leaders stepped up at a critical moment for farmers and the environment.”

• Fred Krupp, president of Environmental Defense Fund

Highlights of the bill include:

• Conservation funding: The budget-neutral bill maintained full funding for conservation programs and will provide $6 billion per year for land and water conservation.
• Public-private partnerships: Annual funding of $300 million for the Regional Conservation Partnership Program will bring nearly $3 billion in matching private dollars to the table to deliver water quality improvements at the watershed scale.
• Climate resilience: Annual funding of $25 million will launch on-farm conservation innovation trials, including a new soil health pilot project to help producers improve soil health and increase soil carbon.
• Data management: USDA will be required to issue a feasibility report on existing data about crop yields, conservation adoption and risk management.

Read this blog post for further analysis of the bill.

(WASHINGTON – December 19, 2018) Recreational fishing legislation known as the “Modern Fish Act,” was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives today after advancing through the Senate on Monday. The legislation now heads to the President for signature.

Advocates from the recreational, commercial, charter/for-hire, and restaurant sectors, as well as many environmental groups, spent more than a year hammering out important compromise language that maintains key components of the current fisheries law, the Magnuson-Stevens Act (MSA).

The following is a statement from Matt Tinning, Associate Vice President, Oceans Program:

“Over the course of the last year the Modern Fish Act has gone from a conservation threat to a bipartisan achievement. Throughout the negotiations we insisted that any modification to the Magnuson-Stevens Act maintain the core elements that have made U.S. fisheries a global model of success: clear, science-based conservation standards and a variety of tools for regional fisheries management councils to apply in ways that meet local needs. We can all be proud to have reached agreement on a bill that responds to the demands of recreational fishing advocates without jeopardizing either sustainability or Americans’ access to local seafood.

“This has been a tremendous year of progress on recreational fishing issues, driven by innovative thinking at the regional level. The successful start of pilots testing state management of private anglers in the Gulf of Mexico and approval of new data collection systems represent important milestones for fisheries management in this country. We look forward to working under this new legislation to ensure that sustainable access to fisheries is maintained both for anglers who fish themselves and for the rest of the country that relies on commercial fishermen to access federal fishery resources.

“As we move into a new Congress, EDF will continue to work collaboratively and in good faith with all stakeholders at the regional level and in Washington, D.C., to ensure that U.S. fisheries management remains effective, flexible, and a global model of success.” 

(Washington, D.C. – December 19, 2018) Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) filed a lawsuit today to compel the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to release records relating to possible corruption behind Trump administration attacks on America’s common sense clean car and freight truck standards.

“EDF is going to court to enforce the American people’s right to know what’s driving the Trump administration’s attacks on our nation’s clean car and freight truck standards,” said EDF attorney Ben Levitan. “We will vigorously pursue this lawsuit so that the public can see any corruption behind the Trump administration’s reckless attacks on vital measures that protect public health and our environment.”

The records involved in the lawsuit pertain to the Clean Car Standards and provisions of the Clean Truck Standards that cover heavy-duty truck trailers.

A recent New York Times investigation of the behind-the-scenes role of the oil industry in pushing the Clean Cars rollback underscores the need to bring greater transparency to the Department of Transportation’s decision-making.

EDF requested the records under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) as part of our ongoing effort to ensure transparency and accountability in Trump administration actions threatening the environment and the health of all Americans.

DOT failed to release the requested records, as required by law. That failure undermines the public’s right to know and materially harms the public’s – including EDF’s – right to full participation in crucial rulemaking proceedings. So EDF filed a lawsuit today in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. This is the eighth time EDF has had to sue the Trump administration for failing to comply with the Freedom of Information Act.

Today’s lawsuit covers three FOIA requests submitted by EDF. In each case, the statutory deadline for DOT to release the records to the public has lapsed.

• The first and second requests seek correspondence between top DOT political officials and external parties, which could include the auto industry or oil companies, relating to the administration’s attack on the Clean Car Standards. These requests also seek the schedules of DOT Secretary Elaine Chao, Deputy Secretary Jeffrey Rosen, and NHTSA Deputy Administrator Heidi King. It is common for cabinet secretaries and top officials to publicly release their schedules, but the Trump administration’s DOT leaders have kept the public in the dark, so these requests will help make those schedules public.
• The third request seeks schedules and correspondence of certain DOT staff involved in the heavy-duty trailers provisions of the clean freight truck standards. Recent developments in litigation over the trailers standards indicate that DOT may be targeting the trailers provisions, and the records sought here will shed light on that threat.

Kaplan Kirsch & Rockwell LLP is representing EDF in this case.

You can find more information about EDF’s FOIA requests on our website.

“Today, the Trump Administration released its long-delayed Federal Action Plan to Reduce Childhood Lead Exposures and Associated Health Impacts. As we had anticipated, given this administration’s record of touting its efforts on lead without taking concrete action, the plan is deeply disappointing. The administration promised a strategy and delivered a repackaged bundle of activities many of which were already underway during the last administration. It lacks the measurable goals, deadlines, or funding essential for success. The fact that the administration released this report just before the holidays and a possible government shutdown indicates that they are far from proud of their work.”

“Our country continues to have a toxic legacy of lead: over 6 million homes get water from lead service lines; 24 million homes have lead hazards in paint, dust, or soil; and nearly half a million children have elevated levels of lead in their blood. Making meaningful progress in tackling sources of exposure will require an aggressive, comprehensive, and practical strategy – which is not what the administration put out today. For decades, we’ve made real progress reducing lead in our society, but the Trump Administration’s plan is not designed to advance those efforts.”

“We know that there is no safe level of lead in blood. If the administration truly wanted to make drastic reductions in children’s exposure to lead, the strategy would look very different.”

- Tom Neltner, Chemicals Policy Director, Environmental Defense Fund

“Jim Rogers cared deeply about his grandchildren and all grandchildren. He was therefore deeply concerned about climate change.

“Jim knew the power sector has an obligation to lead on this issue. As a co-founder of USCAP he led by example, working long and hard to win approval of comprehensive national climate legislation.

“Thanks in part to his leadership, big energy companies and environmental organizations were able to agree on a legislative path forward. While the legislation didn’t become law, it did help lay important groundwork that can be seen today in the sector’s progress towards decarbonization, and will be seen tomorrow as the United States and the world ultimately succeed in addressing this most urgent issue.”

            - Fred Krupp, president of Environmental Defense Fund

(Washington, D.C. – December 18, 2018) Nine northeastern states and the District of Columbia made a groundbreaking announcement today about new steps to slash climate pollution from the transportation sector.

Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia and the District of Columbia will develop a market-based program to slash carbon pollution from the transportation sector. The regional transportation proposal will “cap and reduce carbon emissions from the combustion of transportation fuels” while providing an opportunity for each jurisdiction to invest in a clean, modern, and more efficient transportation system.

“This bipartisan effort to limit climate pollution from our cars and trucks is the latest example of states stepping up and demonstrating the leadership we’re not seeing from the Trump Administration,” said Pam Kiely, Senior Director for Regulatory Strategy at Environmental Defense Fund. “This coalition is grasping an historic opportunity to craft a robust program to cut climate pollution at the pace needed to help stabilize our climate — while at the same time improving mobility and economic opportunities for communities and businesses across the Northeast.”

The transportation sector accounts for the largest share of climate pollution in the United States right now. At this moment, because the scale of the problem is increasingly stark, it is critical that strong limits on climate pollution are put in place.

Today’s announcement initiates the development of a policy to place a limit on pollution that would decline over time, using a market-based mechanism to achieve critical reductions at low cost. The plan was informed by a year-long stakeholder process.After the policy development phase, each jurisdiction will need to initiate their own process to implement the policy.

“California is currently the only jurisdiction in the country with a declining limit on pollution that covers the transportation sector. Now is the time for other states across the country to step up and translate their commitments to cut climate pollution into innovative, enforceable policy solutions,” said Kiely.

(December 17, 2018) Following through on his pledge to lead on climate change solutions, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy’s Department of Environmental Protection today released two draft rules designed to facilitate the state rejoining the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI).

RGGI is a successful market-based program that will ensure declining carbon pollution from the power sector while also helping provide economic gains for New Jersey.

“As New Jersey moves to cleaner energy sources, Governor Murphy’s strong commitment to environmental protection and economic development is critical. Rejoining neighboring states in cutting carbon pollution — with reductions consistent with those needed to stabilize the climate — will help New Jersey get back on track in addressing climate change, while creating economic opportunities,” said Mary Barber, Director of New Jersey Clean Energy for Environmental Defense Fund.

“With the Trump administration failing to deal with climate change, New Jersey and other states can help lead the United States toward a cleaner, safer, and more prosperous future. We look forward to evaluating the details of today’s proposals during the upcoming public comment period, and working with the Murphy administration to help New Jersey regain a leadership role in the region,” said Barber.

Governor Murphy signed an Executive Order in January that started the process to enable New Jersey to rejoin RGGI.

Today’s proposals are available here. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection is accepting public comments through February 15 both online and by email.

(WASHINGTON – December 17, 2018) Recreational fishing legislation known as the “Modern Fish Act,” advanced through the Senate today by unanimous consent. Advocates from the recreational, commercial, charter/for-hire, and restaurant sectors, as well as many environmental groups, spent more than a year hammering out important compromise language that maintains key components of the current fisheries law, the Magnuson-Stevens Act (MSA).

The following is a statement from Matt Tinning, Associate Vice President, Oceans Program:

“Throughout the negotiations we have insisted that any modification to the Magnuson-Stevens Act maintain the core elements that have made U.S. fisheries a global model of success: clear, science-based conservation standards and a variety of tools for regional fisheries management councils to apply in ways that meet local needs. We can all be proud to have reached agreement on a bill that responds to the demands of recreational fishing advocates without jeopardizing either sustainability or Americans’ access to local seafood. We deeply appreciate the hard work by Senators, staff, and stakeholders to secure that outcome in the Senate.

“This has been a tremendous year of progress on recreational fishing issues, driven by innovative thinking at the regional level. The successful start of pilots testing state management of private anglers in the Gulf of Mexico and approval of new data collection systems represent important milestones for fisheries management in this country. We look forward to working under the legislation advanced today by the Senate, if it is enacted, to ensure that sustainable access to fisheries is maintained both for anglers who fish themselves and for the rest of the country that relies on commercial fishermen to access federal fishery resources.

“As we move into a new Congress, EDF will continue to work collaboratively and in good faith with all stakeholders at the regional level and in Washington, D.C. to ensure that U.S. fisheries management remains effective, flexible, and a global model of success.” 

"Secretary Zinke's time at the Department of the Interior was marked by threats to our public lands and endangered species, attempts to increase pollution, and serious ethical questions. He has been a part of an administration that has no respect for America's natural resources and cultural heritage, and he consistently reflected that position.

"Since the day in March of 2017 when President Trump signed a reckless executive order on energy extraction, the Interior Department has pursued oil, gas and mining expansion at the expense of public health, vital wildlife habitat, and treasured landscapes.

"I am not confident that anyone can fulfill the responsibilities of the Interior Secretary to protect our federal lands, so long as the Trump administration is willing to ignore the pleas of westerners, tribes, and countless other Americans, and instead favor the short-term interests of a few deep-pocketed industry lobbyists.

"The Senate should insist that any nominee commit to protecting our natural heritage instead of powerful special interests."

• Elizabeth Gore, Senior Vice President, Environmental Defense Fund