Scott Pruitt Shows No Remorse in Compromising Safety of American Workers, Families

WASHINGTON, DC -- Today, The Hill reported that EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt plans to repeal key parts of the Chemical Safety Rule meant to inform the public of chemical hazards before disasters happen. The decision would also rescind a one-year deadline for chemical incident reports. The Chemical Safety Rule applies to 12,500 facilities, including chemical manufacturers, refineries and fertilizer plants. After Hurricane Harvey, several first responders suffered hospitalizations and severe illness after plants failed to disclose chemical risks in Houston buildings in wake of the disaster.

In response, Dr. Neil Carman, Clean Air program director for the Sierra Club’s Lone Star Chapter released the following statement:

“This decision is devastating, especially after we saw first-hand the horrible consequences of toxic exposure in the wake of Hurricane Harvey. First responders and those suffering the aftermath of climate disasters should be protected with information and accountability.

“It’s critical that people have the right to know about dangerous toxins where they live, work and where their children go to school. This decision represents detrimental back-tracking in the decades of work done to inform and protect Americans from chemical hazards.

“In repealing this rule, Pruitt is once again failing at his mission of protecting Americans from environmental hazards. He is unfit to serve as administrator of our nation’s Environmental Protection Agency and must go immediately.”