Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement after President Donald Trump signed a new executive order rescinding environmental protections implemented by the Obama Administration, including the Clean Power Plan and protections for public lands.
“Disregarding the overwhelming scientific consensus that carbon pollutants cause global warming does not move our country forward and could cause irreparable damage to our public health and environment. The Clean Power Plan allows states to determine how they will cut harmful emissions, boost their clean energy sector, and protect their environment. Rolling it back will exacerbate health concerns, jeopardize our public lands, and have negative impacts on Nevada’s clean energy and outdoor recreation economies. Removing incentives for clean energy will slow down Nevada’s economy and stunt our technological transformation. Decades of progress will be lost, resulting in poor air and water quality, making our families sick and harming our communities.
“Additionally, it is not surprising that the same person who challenged the Clean Power Plan, EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt, now seeks to destroy it in his new position. Mr. Pruitt works for the American people and the American people deserve clean air and water.
“We should be working toward solutions that helps us protects our environment, public lands, and clean energy sector. It is an understatement to say that this executive order will put us decades behind on progress.”
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