Cherelle Blazer, cherelle.blazer@sierraclub.org, 214-604-0425
***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR FRIDAY, APRIL 21 AT 3:00 PM CT***
Dallas, TX -- On Friday, April 21, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt will appear after a legal symposium to give remarks at Earth Day Texas. Community members will rally near the event to remind Pruitt that Dallas residents deserve clean air and remind attendees that the Trump administration’s anti-immigrant policies are hurtful to Texas families and their health.
With ozone season approaching, Pruitt, whose EPA under President Trump is expected to gut critical clean air and water protections, will be joined by Energy Secretary Rick Perry and Texas Railroad Commissioner Ryan Sitton at the Earth Day Texas event.
The Sierra Club and several Dallas-area community groups have been organizing to address years of uncommonly high levels of smog pollution due in part to nearby coal-fired power plants. In addition, thousands of people turned out in front of City Hall at the Dallas Mega March on April 9th to speak out against President Trump’s assault on immigrant families, DACA students, and refugees.
“It’s a shame to see the same people who are actively advocating for more pollution that would disproportionately impact people of color and low income communities are invited to Earth Day, which was founded on the values of justice and unity,” said Cherelle Blazer of the Sierra Club. “EPA Administrator Pruitt is actively rolling back clean air protections and refusing to defend the new ozone standard. His presence at an Earth Day event in Dallas is an affront to the thousands of North Texas residents who struggle with respiratory illness due to uncontrolled air pollution. We are here today to give Pruitt the welcome he deserves.”
Earth Day should be grounded in the fundamental values of protecting, preserving, and enjoying the environment for everyone.
WHAT: Community Rally Against EPA Head Scott Pruitt
WHEN: Friday, April 21 Rally at 3:00 PM CT and talk starts at 4:00PM CT
WHERE: Rally at Platform outside of Fair State Park 1010 1st Avenue, Dallas, TX 75210
Hall of State - Legal Symposium
1010 1st Avenue, Dallas, TX 75210
WHO: Sierra Club, local health and community groups
BACKGROUND:
The DFW area has failed to meet the minimum air quality standards of the Clean Air Act since 1991. Dallas residents are fighting for clean air while being surrounded by five highly polluting coal-fired power plants, which contribute to the metro area’s severe ozone problems and impacts DFW’s air quality. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), led by Scott Pruitt, indicated it won’t stand up for the stronger ozone standards put in place to protect public health in 2015.
VISUALS: Banners, signs and noise makers.
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