Complete list of press releases

(Washington, D.C. – February 6, 2019) The Trump administration has started accepting public comments on its efforts to unravel the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards – protections against some of the most dangerous types of pollution in our air that can get into our waters and even our food.

EPA Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler formally proposed reconsidering the foundational building blocks of the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards on December 27, just one day before EPA effectively closed for the government shutdown. EPA will now accept public comments for 60 days, starting today. Americans can send comments to EPA through EDF’s website.

“The Mercury and Air Toxics Standards are some of the strongest and most effective protections we have against the dangerous pollution that sickens our children and families. They are popular, cost-effective and successful. It’s almost inconceivable that Acting Administrator Wheeler would attack them,” said Mandy Warner, EDF senior manager for climate and air policy. “We urge all Americans to write to EPA and make your opinion heard.”

The Mercury and Air Toxics Standards reduce toxic pollution from our nation’s coal-fired power plants. They have been a proven success in protecting American families from some of the most dangerous types of pollution – including mercury, which causes brain damage in babies; arsenic; lead; chromium and nickel, which cause cancer; and acid gases, which cause serious lung disease.

EPA’s own estimates show the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards prevent up to 11,000 premature deaths each year

The Mercury and Air Toxics Standards are already in effect and protecting Americans. The power industry is already in compliance with the standards. Since 2011, mercury pollution from power plants has dropped by more than 80 percent, and EPA estimates the benefits of the standards outweigh the costs by a margin of 9-to-1.

Wheeler has claimed he isn’t undermining the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards – he’s just reconsidering the underlying basis for them. But weakening the underpinning of the standards will put them in danger, in the same way that you can’t expect a building to stand if you demolish its foundation.

Almost no one in America wants the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards rolled back. Power sector industry and labor leaders, the Chamber of Commerce, Members of Congress from both parties, health organizations, environmental groups, moms’ groups, and faith groups have all asked Wheeler to leave the standards in place. Wheeler is moving ahead with his proposal in spite of the overwhelming opposition.

“For the third year in a row, President Trump has addressed Congress and failed to mention one of the biggest threats facing us – climate change. It was another squandered opportunity to show American leadership for the clean energy future.

“Since the last State of the Union address, we’ve seen more extreme weather events, more severe damage linked to climate change, and two comprehensive reports stressing how urgent the problem has gotten – including one report from President Trump’s own administration. We are long, long past the time when ignoring the problem was an option. The President and all Congressional leaders must act to address the very real effects of climate change including health risks to our kids, economic risks to our communities, and environmental risks to our planet.”

- Elizabeth Gore, EDF Senior Vice President, Political Affairs

“During his time as deputy administrator and acting administrator, Andrew Wheeler has attacked America’s most fundamental public health and environmental safeguards to the detriment of American families and communities. Mr. Wheeler has made clear that his only commitment is to the polluting industries that once employed him. His undoing and undermining of critical protections hurts families in every state and community across the country while only benefiting the companies dirtying our air, water and land. The real world consequences of his policies will be more asthma attacks, more heart disease, and lost lives.”

Mr. Wheeler’s nomination now goes to full Senate confirmation, where each senator will have to decide whether to endorse his record at EPA. Nothing about his time in office suggests our air, water, and health would be safe in his care. Senators who consider themselves champions of public health and our environment should adamantly reject Mr. Wheeler’s nomination.

 “A vote in support of Mr. Wheeler means support for the unraveling of safeguards from mercury and other toxics, carbon dioxide and smog, and dangerous chemicals in consumer products. It is a show of support for more pollution that fuels our ongoing climate crisis and more asthma attacks and cancer for American families. In all, a vote to confirm Mr. Wheeler is a vote against the best interests of American families.

“Senators will soon have a chance to cast a vote on Mr. Wheeler’s record as acting administrator and, in effect, their commitment to protecting America’s health and environment.”

• Elizabeth Gore, Senior Vice President, Political Affairs

Oregon lawmakers unveiled their detailed legislative proposal Thursday afternoon for how the state can meet or exceed its ambitious climate targets. The proposed “cap and invest” policy would place a firm limit on carbon pollution while driving investments in green jobs, communities that will bear the brunt of the impacts of climate change, and clean energy innovation. For more detailed background, see EDF’s blog post, Oregon poised to cap carbon pollution.

“Oregon lawmakers have a historic opportunity to become only the second U.S. state ever to place a firm, declining limit on the vast majority of the state’s climate pollution – pollution that is already threatening the lives and well-being of people in Oregon and around the world. 

“With the federal government stuck in reverse, Oregon’s leadership and commitment to ramping down carbon pollution quickly, with an eye toward protecting communities in the transition to a clean energy economy, is more important now than ever.” 

• Erica Morehouse, Senior Attorney for U.S. Climate Policy and Analysis, Environmental Defense Fund
   

(PHOENIX, AZ – January 31, 2019) The Water for Arizona Coalition today commended state lawmakers for voting to approve the state’s Drought Contingency Plan (DCP).

“It is increasingly likely that a decline in Lake Mead’s elevation will trigger a shortage declaration in the years ahead. Having a Drought Contingency Plan in place helps make sure that such a shortage, and the water cutbacks that will follow it, do not disrupt our economy and cause more pain than they need to.

“This plan conserves more water in Lake Mead through a mix of mechanisms and incentives to reduce water demand, including system conservation projects and water trading among cities, tribes and irrigation districts. I commend our legislature and Governor Ducey for recognizing the urgent need for conservation and other actions to protect the health of the Colorado River system that supports cities, farms and ranches, industry, tribal communities, wildlife, and recreation in the region.”

• Kevin Moran, Senior Director for the Colorado River Program at Environmental Defense Fund and Chair of the Water for Arizona Coalition, served as an official alternate member of the Arizona Drought Contingency Plan Steering Committee.

(SACRAMENTO, CA – Jan. 31, 2019) The yearly count of the eastern monarch butterfly population that overwinters in Mexico was released yesterday, showing a 144 percent increase over last year’s count – the highest count since 2006.

In stark comparison, the western monarch butterfly population that overwinters along the California coast declined 86 percent in 2018 compared to the previous year, with a final count of approximately 30,000 butterflies – the average population needed to avoid a complete collapse.

“The seemingly conflicting news headlines about the eastern and western monarch populations beg the question, ‘What’s going on with monarch butterflies?’ That’s precisely the question that conservationists and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service staff are trying to answer in anticipation of a June 2019 deadline to decide whether the monarch needs to be added to the endangered species list.”

“Make no mistake, the monarch butterfly is still in grave danger. The western population is on the brink of complete collapse, and while the eastern population showed some signs of recovery in 2018, the overall trajectory of the combined North American populations is in steep decline.

“The good news is that this year’s eastern population numbers indicate that conservation efforts plus favorable weather make a winning combination. While there’s not much we can do about the weather, there’s a great deal we can do to conserve and restore monarch habitat. But we have to act fast, before it’s too late.”

• Eric Holst, Associate Vice President, Working Lands

(NEW ORLEANS, LA — January 30, 2019) Every 100 minutes, a football field of land disappears into the Gulf of Mexico. To highlight this national land loss crisis, Restore the Mississippi River Delta will release a commercial during the Big Game on Feb. 3 that urges viewers across the United States to take necessary action to protect and restore an area that is vital to the entire nation.

“We’ve called on children from the New Orleans area and nearby coastal communities to help us deliver a clear message — if we don’t do anything to restore coastal Louisiana and protect our communities, our children and grandchildren will feel the impacts on a massive scale,” said Steve Cochran, campaign director for Restore the Mississippi River Delta. “The future of our great state — and our industries, economy, wildlife and unique culture — depends on how effectively we implement restoration and protection projects today. 2019 is a critical year for Louisiana, and the decisions we make now will have significant impact on future generations.” 

The commercial, titled “Protect Our Coast. Protect Their Future,” was filmed across south Louisiana and features a diverse group of children from the region who are directly impacted by the coastal land loss crisis. In addition to the ad’s debut on Sunday, Restore the Mississippi River Delta — a coalition of local and national conservation groups working in Louisiana to protect people, wildlife and jobs by connecting the river and its wetlands — will run the ad for an additional six weeks, accompanied by an online advocacy campaign through social media, YouTube and at RestoreTheCoast.org.

After the devastating no-call that cost our boys in Black and Gold their chance at the Big Game, many fans around the nation are calling for a boycott. Even if they miss the game, Restore the Mississippi River Delta is hopeful that fans will be on the lookout in the weeks to come for the real stars of the day — the children of Louisiana’s coast. According to Cochran, “These kids are the real stars of Sunday’s game. Their message, however, is one that will resonate long after the game ends. The restoration and protection of Louisiana’s coast is for their future and the future of our entire region. As our star quarterback Drew Brees has said, let’s all come together and work to give back to our state and communities and accomplish great things together.”

The campaign encourages viewers to consider how the decisions being made today about Louisiana’s coast will affect the future of our children and grandchildren and add their voices to a chorus of people demanding action. The coalition is hoping to bring awareness to the issue of coastal land loss as told through the children’s voices because, ultimately, this is about their future. 

“It’s very important for my generation to care about this issue,” said Madeline Heymann, a 13-year-old New Orleans native who appears in the campaign. “This is our future. Without action, our home and state are in danger.”

Louisiana’s wetlands feed and fuel the nation, and the erosion of these ecosystems is the greatest conservation issue our nation is currently facing. Louisiana contains five of the nation’s 15 largest shipping ports by tonnage, provides 30 percent of commercial fishing landings in the lower 48 states, and generates $9.3 billion per year in tourism.

To date, Louisiana has lost 1.2 million acres of land. Recent catastrophes, such as Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and the BP oil disaster exacerbated this coastal crisis. Without action, Louisiana is projected to lose up to an additional 4,000 square miles over the next 50 years.

There are many ways to get involved in the fight to save coastal Louisiana. From volunteering to contacting elected officials to attending public meetings and other events, all Americans have the power to make a difference in restoring Louisiana’s coast. To view the campaign or get involved, visit RestoreTheCoast.org.

The deployment and adoption of digital technologies across the oil and gas value chain could help scale the impact of industry's methane reduction efforts, finds a new report by Environmental Defense Fund, in collaboration with Accenture Strategy. While early adopters are using digitalization to gain a competitive advantage operationally, few of the world's major oil and gas companies are using these solutions to reduce emissions of methane, a potent greenhouse gas.

The paper, Fueling a Digital Methane Future, examines how innovations such as automated asset management, predictive maintenance and industrial internet of things (IIoT) can help prevent the annual loss of $34 billion a year in leaked, vented and flared methane, the primary component of natural gas.

"The oil and gas industry has embarked on an exciting digital transformation that will make operations more efficient and reduce waste across the board," said Isabel Mogstad, a methane mitigation expert with EDF+Business and former management consultant at Schlumberger. "Leaving methane mitigation out of this evolution would be a major oversight and a tremendous missed opportunity to improve operations and address stakeholder concerns."

According to the research, digital innovations have the potential to unlock more than $1.5 trillion in economic, environmental and societal value across oil and gas operations. As more operators set methane targets or begin their methane management journey, digital innovations can support the realization of company goals.

"As the oil and gas industry seeks to deliver affordable and sustainable energy in a disruptive and low carbon context, managing methane emissions intentionally and effectively needs to be a priority," said Muqsit Ashraf, senior managing director, Accenture Strategy, Energy. "Digital technologies can accelerate methane reduction; delivering significant economic, environmental and societal gains that will boost the industry's trust quotient and competitive agility."

The analysis defines four stages of digital methane maturity– ranging from having no methane mitigation strategy to using advanced capabilities such as big data analytics, machine learning and advanced sensors to enable prediction and prevention of leaks before they even occur. After a company diagnoses its position on the methane maturity continuum, the authors recommend opportunities for digital projects at every stage.

The paper also identifies three ways companies can incorporate methane management into their existing digital architecture:

• Predictive asset management: shifting from time to condition-based management using historical and real-time data
• Ecosystem convergence: integrating digital platforms between vendors and customers to improve accountability, reduce costs and provide operational transparency
• End-to-end network management: optimizing gas systems through automated interventions and pattern analysis to minimize leak-inducing events

"Momentum to reduce methane emissions is building through industry commitments, a growing market of cost-effective solutions and sensible regulations," added Mogstad. "But it's not enough to solve one of the oil and gas sector's biggest challenges. For companies to stay competitive in a decarbonizing world, they need to integrate methane solutions now, while they are deploying or scaling their broader digital initiatives—not after their digital agendas are set."

(SANTA FE, NM) New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham today issued a sweeping executive order aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions statewide by at least 45 percent by 2030. The order also directs state agencies to develop policies that will encourage clean energy deployment, curb climate pollution and cut energy wasted from the oil and gas industry through the intentional and unintentional release of methane, a powerful pollutant.

“The Governor’s bold new order is a commitment that New Mexico will rise to meet the climate challenge. Getting enforceable, pollution-reducing policies on the books will help protect the lungs and the livelihood of New Mexicans who deserve clean air and a stable environment.

“Increased water scarcity, more intense wildfires and prolonged droughts are becoming the new climate reality in New Mexico. Addressing these serious problems takes leadership and decisive action, the very kind that Governor Lujan Grisham made clear with her order today.

“Her vision recognizes that New Mexico’s future lies in cleaner energy sources, and that to achieve the reductions promised, New Mexico must evaluate market-based solutions. By prioritizing actions to cut oil and gas emissions, the Governor is also seizing an opportunity to protect air quality and limit energy waste that could otherwise increase funding for education.”

· Fred Krupp, President, Environmental Defense Fund
 

The executive order endorses the goals of the Paris Agreement, and adds New Mexico to the U.S. Climate Alliance, a coalition of now 19 Governors committed to implementing policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The order also sets critical targets for reductions in pollution, committing New Mexico to achieving at least 45 percent below 2005 levels by 2030 and directs the state’s regulatory agencies to enact comprehensive, statewide regulations to dramatically cut methane pollution and waste from the oil and gas industry.

(Washington, D.C. – January 24, 2019) A new bipartisan Congressional bill would address the growing threat of climate change by pricing carbon pollution and returning the net revenue as a rebate to American families.

Representatives Ted Deutch (D-FL), Francis Rooney (R-FL), Charlie Crist (D-FL), Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Scott Peters (D-CA), Judy Chu (D-CA), and Dan Lipinski (D-IL) introduced the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act today. The bill is aimed at reducing U.S. carbon pollution by as much as 90 percent by 2050 (compared to 2016 levels). 100 percent of the revenue would be rebated.

“Every day we see new examples of the serious damage that climate change is doing across the country, and new evidence that we have to move quickly to protect Americans families and communities,” said Elizabeth Gore, EDF Senior Vice President of Political Affairs. “Fortunately, we’re seeing renewed momentum to find climate change solutions – on Capitol Hill and around the country. Today’s bill is another inspiring step in the right direction, and we are grateful for the leadership of Representatives Deutch, Rooney, Crist, Eshoo, Peters, Chu and Lipinski.”

A proposed Continuing Resolution currently under consideration in the Senate offers a commonsense solution to end the government shutdown on its 34^th day, put hundreds of thousands of Americans back to work, and restore agencies critical to protecting public health and the environment. At present, nearly 95% of EPA’s 14,000 staff members are unable to perform their duties, leaving communities and families at greater risk from pollution and other contaminants. The Continuing Resolution would allow the government to function at FY2018 levels of funding, would be free of dangerous anti-environmental policy riders, and provides additional relief funding to communities still recovering from natural disasters.

“Recent political debates have centered on our safety, yet the government shutdown has left children and families more vulnerable to pollution and environmental hazards. The Senate has the opportunity today to end this reckless shutdown, provide hundreds of thousands of Americans with much-needed, hard-earned pay, and get our government back on track.

“We are only now beginning to assess the long-term impacts of this reckless federal shutdown. There will be bureaucratic backlogs at EPA and other environmental, conservation, and research programs. As environmental protections continue to be put on the back burner, communities throughout the U.S. will continue struggling to recover from disaster impacts and will have limited funds to prepare for the hurricane and wildfire seasons. Already we have seen major decreases in civil enforcement against polluters under the Trump administration, and with EPA employees unable to do their jobs, polluters are free to dirty our air, water and land without accountability.

“It is time that Congress ends the shutdown and allows Americans to return to work and go unburdened by the threat of unnecessary health risks.”

• Elizabeth Gore, Senior Vice President, Political Affairs

(BATON ROUGE, LA — January 23, 2019) Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards made two key announcements today for funding and strong leadership of coastal programs to address the state’s land loss crisis. First, the governor has proposed allocating $55 million from state surplus dollars to the constitutionally-protected Coastal Trust Fund to support projects in the Louisiana Coastal Master Plan to address the crisis, as well as announcing more than $300 million through the Gulf of Mexico Security Act (GOMESA) to fund master plan risk-reduction projects across the coast over the next three years. Secondly, the governor announced that Chip Kline has been appointed as Executive Assistant to the Governor for Coastal Activities, a position that also serves as Chairperson of the state’s Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA). Kline, who was serving in an interim capacity for the position, has served in coastal leadership positions for a decade.

Restore the Mississippi River Delta, a coalition of national and local conservation organizations committed to coastal Louisiana restoration including Environmental Defense Fund, the National Wildlife Federation, National Audubon Society, Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana, and Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation, released the following statement:

“Today’s announcements from Governor Edwards are steps forward for our coast.

“The Governor’s decision to dedicate a significant amount of state surplus dollars to the Coastal Fund demonstrates that he and Louisiana are committed to addressing our land loss crisis with urgency. It is also encouraging to see GOMESA dollars being used to advance more than 20 Coastal Master Plan risk-reduction projects across the state. With the Gulf of Mexico inching closer every day, Louisiana needs to secure and protect as much funding as possible to ensure coastal restoration and protection projects are implemented quickly. Dedicating state surplus funds to address these coastal needs is an important step forward for the communities, jobs and wildlife our coast supports.

“We’re also pleased to see the appointment of Chip Kline as Chairperson of CPRA. Chip has helped Louisiana navigate some of the most difficult challenges our coast has faced – from oil spill settlement negotiations to implementation of complex, large-scale protection and restoration projects. His experience advocating for Louisiana’s coast at the local, state and federal levels has greatly benefited our state. We look forward to continuing to work with Mr. Kline as we collectively tackle the greatest challenge facing Louisiana.”

(Washington, D.C. – January 18, 2019) The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals issued a decisive ruling today upholding California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard – the state’s landmark program to reduce climate pollution from the fuel used in cars and trucks.

The court sided with California on all issues in the case, dismissed challenges to the Low Carbon Fuel Standard on numerous grounds, and awarded attorneys’ fees to the state.

“This is a thorough victory for the climate and for the health and safety of Californians,” said Tim O’Connor, Senior Director of California Energy Policy for Environmental Defense Fund, which was a party to the case. “California is working hard to address the dangers of air pollution, including climate pollution, from cars and trucks. Today the court affirmed California’s right to develop regulations that can help with that critical work, and can provide cleaner and healthier air for families and communities around the state.”

The Low Carbon Fuel Standard is a policy that was adopted under California’s groundbreaking climate change and clean air laws. It was originally designed to reduce the amount of carbon pollution released from the fuels sold in California by 10 percent by 2020.

The Low Carbon Fuel Standard is improving California’s air quality, which will help prevent heart and lung disease. It is also designed to stabilize fuel prices and protect Californians against future oil price shocks, and to drive technological innovations in transportation that will create jobs. A report by EDF and the American Lung Association found that California’s clean fuels policies will save more than $10 billion by 2020.

The legal challenge to the Low Carbon Fuel Standard started seven years ago. Large oil companies and corn-ethanol producers claimed it discriminated against out-of-state crude oil and ethanol, and thus violated the Commerce Clause of the Constitution. Opponents also claimed federal government regulation should prevent California from setting its own standards.

Challengers lost an earlier appeal to the Ninth Circuit in 2013. A year later the Supreme Court declined to reconsider the Ninth Circuit’s decision.

Opponents challenged the Low Carbon Fuel Standard again, lost in district court, and appealed to the Ninth Circuit for a second time.

Today a three-judge panel of the Ninth Circuit again upheld the Low Carbon Fuel Standard. Judges rejected the argument that the policy is discriminatory under the Commerce Clause, saying:

“The California legislature is rightly concerned with the health and welfare of humans living in the State of California. These persons may be subjected, for example, to crumbling or swamped coastlines, rising water, or more intense forest fires caused by higher temperatures and related droughts, all of which many in the scientific communities believe are caused or intensified by the volume of greenhouse gas emissions. The California legislators and regulators who created the CARB regulation of greenhouse gas emissions were clearly concerned with such dreadful environmental impacts. And, whatever else may be said of the revolutionary colonists who framed our Constitution, it cannot be doubted that they respected the rights of individual states to pass laws that protected human welfare.” (Decision, pages 8 and 9)

(Washington, D.C. – January 18, 2019) Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Tom Carper (D-DE) have reintroduced a bill that EDF called “a big step towards keeping our children safe from mercury.”

The Comprehensive National Mercury Monitoring Act will help scientists gather more data on mercury pollution and the damage it causes to human health and the environment.

“Mercury pollution can cause very serious health problems, including brain damage in babies,” said Mandy Warner, EDF’s Senior Manager of Climate and Air Policy. “We need the best possible data if we hope to protect our families from the risks of mercury pollution. At a time when the Trump administration is trying to undermine our national mercury protections, it’s refreshing to see this bipartisan effort from Senators Collins and Carper.”

The Comprehensive National Mercury Monitoring Act would require federal agencies – including EPA, NOAA and the Fish and Wildlife Service – to measure and keep track of mercury levels in our air, water and soil. That would help identify how mercury is getting into our environment and where levels of the pollutant are highest. Senators Collins and Carper introduced the bill in August, and just reintroduced it for this Congress.

In December – just hours before EPA closed as part of the federal government shutdown – the Trump administration, led by Acting EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler, announced a proposal that could unravel our national protections against mercury and other toxic pollution. This proposal could lead to more toxic pollutants like mercury, lead, arsenic and acid gases in our air. EDF is urging Wheeler to rescind his destructive proposal and for Members of Congress to hold him accountable for this widely-opposed action.

(Denver, CO – January 17, 2019) Colorado Governor Jared Polis issued an executive order today that will lead toward important clean air and economic benefits for all Coloradans.

The executive order directs the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to pursue adoption of Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) standards — an action that has already received broad support from Colorado businesses and communities — and has already been adopted by ten other states across the country.

“Today Governor Polis took an important step forward by announcing his commitment to increase the deployment of electric vehicles and improve Colorado’s readiness for a clean, zero-pollution transportation system,” said Pam Kiely, Senior Director of Regulatory Strategy for EDF. “We’re excited about Governor Polis’ vision, and look forward to working with the new administration to accelerate these critical clean technologies while simultaneously rolling up our sleeves to secure the science-based reductions in climate pollution essential to protect Colorado’s environment and its economy.”

In his first Colorado State of the State Address, Governor Polis made addressing the urgent environmental and economic harms from climate change a clear priority. He promised to “confront [it] head-on” by pursuing “outcomes-based approaches … that deliver emissions reductions from all sources.”

Today’s executive order starts Colorado down that path by helping catalyze the deployment of clean vehicles and transportation infrastructure. Both play an important role in any comprehensive strategy to address one of the largest sources of climate pollution in Colorado.

The executive order provides a framework for Colorado to accelerate electrification in its transportation sector – a move that will help secure vital reductions in climate pollution, create jobs, save families hundreds of dollars each year on fuel costs and provide more opportunities for Coloradans to choose clean, zero-emitting vehicles.

The executive order also provides the framework to expand the infrastructure supporting widespread transportation electrification, including solutions to help maximize the climate, health, and economic benefits these zero-emitting vehicles will deliver to all Coloradans.