Background
The EPA is asking for public comments on its proposed rule to repeal, replace, or modify environmental protections “to alleviate unnecessary regulatory burdens.” This could apply to any existing EPA regulations, even though they were carefully crafted to reduce health and economic burdens on the American people and the environment, taking into account existing scientific data.
The public comment period is open until May 15. Law requires federal agencies such as the EPA to read and take into account your comment before they can change their rules.
Note that EPA’s “Tips for Effective Comments” emphasizes (1) that one well-supported comment is often more informative than a thousand form letters, (but if this all you can do, do it!); (2) not attacking persons, the Agency or using profanity or personal threats; (3) using sound reasoning, scientific evidence, and/or describing how you will be impacted; and (4) providing technical information and/or data when possible.
Click this link to add your comment by May 15!
Option 1: Review this document and craft your own impactful comment. We will be updating that document to provide as much reference information as possible for your comments. For example, the request for comments references job loss, costs that exceed benefits, and limiting use of scientific data. That document will help you address these issues.
Option 2: If you have limited time, we have included below a script for you to modify with your own personal story, as well as an example personal story for inspiration.
Script
Hello,
I oppose any arbitrary efforts to remove common-sense environmental protections. I support the protection of my body and my environment that the EPA provides in the form of regulations.
EPA regulations are based on sound science and protect humans and the environment. Any changes to regulations must address the degree to which the changes will increase adverse outcomes for humans and the environment (e.g., habitat destruction and increased numbers of cancers and other illnesses).
Environmental protections do not harm our economy. From 1990 - 2012, pollution was greatly reduced, while the GDP doubled. The EPA itself estimates that the regulatory benefits of the Clean Air Act exceeds its costs by a ratio of 25 to 1. Any proposed elimination of protections must address the health impact to workers in increased healthcare costs and lives lost.
Furthermore, the request for comments does not list and provide reference information on the set of regulations covered by the request. It should be re-issued including that list of potentially affected regulations with an extended deadline so that the public can provide informed comments.
I am personally worried about the repeal, replacement, or modification of environmental protections because [INSERT YOUR PERSONAL STORY ABOUT HOW CLEAN WATER AND AIR IMPACT YOUR LIFE].
Thank you.
[INSERT YOUR NAME HERE IF YOU WANT YOUR COMMENT TO BE NON-ANONYMOUS]
Example personal story
I am personally worried about the repeal, replacement, or modification of environmental protections because these protections are critical to my and my family’s wellbeing.
I have a family member with asthma, which is caused and aggravated by pollutants. He is one of many who suffer with asthma and are at risk of dying because of it. I do not want air protections eliminated.
I was raised in Los Angeles and remember when the air was so thick with smog it looked like nighttime. It is better now because of EPA air regulations. I do not want the regulation of air pollutants to be weakened or eliminated.
As a youth I ate fish I caught in lakes in the Sierra-Nevada mountain range. Now those fish are shown to have toxic pollutants in them. Our most pristine natural areas must not be further eroded by eliminating the protections that reduce the sources of pollution.