"Pruitt has made it easier for power plants to avoid upgrading to cleaner equipment."(Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
May 16, 2018
It's hard to look away from the scandals engulfing EPA chief Scott Pruitt. The guy dined with a cardinal accused of sexual abuse and demoted employees who disagreed with him, just to scratch the surface. The bigger issue, though, is that he keeps protecting polluters instead of the environment.
Pruitt has made it easier for power plants to avoid upgrading to cleaner equipment, a new analysis from Rachel Leven and Fatima Bhojani at the Center for Public Integrity shows. That leaves Americans breathing dirtier air.
And even bigger changes are ahead for the New Source Review, the EPA program requiring companies to use up-to-date pollution controls. Here's what we know:
- CPI reports that 145 coal plants lacking pollution controls put out 580,000 total tons of sulfur dioxide last year, a pollutant that contributes to asthma and other breathing problems. While an EPA loophole lets coal plants built before 1978 get away with that, 38 of the 145 plants were built after '78.
- The Obama-era EPA cracked down on coal plants, forcing them to retrofit their factories and cut down on pollution. In Pruitt's first year, those demands dropped to just 12 percent of what was done under Obama.
- Ol' Scotty is planning another gift for big polluters: an overhaul of the New Source Review. He's already made a couple of tweaks, like asking regulators not to double-check companies' pollution estimates. An EPA document last year argued for reforming the program, calling it a potential "burden."
You know what's also a burden? Air pollution, which isn't really improving in the U.S. these days. But since Pruitt's LinkedIn profile calls him the "leading advocate against the EPA's activist agenda," I guess he's just doing his job.
Why Your Ongoing Support Is Essential
Donald Trump’s attacks on democracy, justice, and a free press are escalating — putting everything we stand for at risk. We believe a better world is possible, but we can’t get there without your support. Common Dreams stands apart. We answer only to you — our readers, activists, and changemakers — not to billionaires or corporations. Our independence allows us to cover the vital stories that others won’t, spotlighting movements for peace, equality, and human rights. Right now, our work faces unprecedented challenges. Misinformation is spreading, journalists are under attack, and financial pressures are mounting. As a reader-supported, nonprofit newsroom, your support is crucial to keep this journalism alive. Whatever you can give — $10, $25, or $100 — helps us stay strong and responsive when the world needs us most. Together, we’ll continue to build the independent, courageous journalism our movement relies on. Thank you for being part of this community. |
© 2023 Grist.org
It's hard to look away from the scandals engulfing EPA chief Scott Pruitt. The guy dined with a cardinal accused of sexual abuse and demoted employees who disagreed with him, just to scratch the surface. The bigger issue, though, is that he keeps protecting polluters instead of the environment.
Pruitt has made it easier for power plants to avoid upgrading to cleaner equipment, a new analysis from Rachel Leven and Fatima Bhojani at the Center for Public Integrity shows. That leaves Americans breathing dirtier air.
And even bigger changes are ahead for the New Source Review, the EPA program requiring companies to use up-to-date pollution controls. Here's what we know:
- CPI reports that 145 coal plants lacking pollution controls put out 580,000 total tons of sulfur dioxide last year, a pollutant that contributes to asthma and other breathing problems. While an EPA loophole lets coal plants built before 1978 get away with that, 38 of the 145 plants were built after '78.
- The Obama-era EPA cracked down on coal plants, forcing them to retrofit their factories and cut down on pollution. In Pruitt's first year, those demands dropped to just 12 percent of what was done under Obama.
- Ol' Scotty is planning another gift for big polluters: an overhaul of the New Source Review. He's already made a couple of tweaks, like asking regulators not to double-check companies' pollution estimates. An EPA document last year argued for reforming the program, calling it a potential "burden."
You know what's also a burden? Air pollution, which isn't really improving in the U.S. these days. But since Pruitt's LinkedIn profile calls him the "leading advocate against the EPA's activist agenda," I guess he's just doing his job.
It's hard to look away from the scandals engulfing EPA chief Scott Pruitt. The guy dined with a cardinal accused of sexual abuse and demoted employees who disagreed with him, just to scratch the surface. The bigger issue, though, is that he keeps protecting polluters instead of the environment.
Pruitt has made it easier for power plants to avoid upgrading to cleaner equipment, a new analysis from Rachel Leven and Fatima Bhojani at the Center for Public Integrity shows. That leaves Americans breathing dirtier air.
And even bigger changes are ahead for the New Source Review, the EPA program requiring companies to use up-to-date pollution controls. Here's what we know:
- CPI reports that 145 coal plants lacking pollution controls put out 580,000 total tons of sulfur dioxide last year, a pollutant that contributes to asthma and other breathing problems. While an EPA loophole lets coal plants built before 1978 get away with that, 38 of the 145 plants were built after '78.
- The Obama-era EPA cracked down on coal plants, forcing them to retrofit their factories and cut down on pollution. In Pruitt's first year, those demands dropped to just 12 percent of what was done under Obama.
- Ol' Scotty is planning another gift for big polluters: an overhaul of the New Source Review. He's already made a couple of tweaks, like asking regulators not to double-check companies' pollution estimates. An EPA document last year argued for reforming the program, calling it a potential "burden."
You know what's also a burden? Air pollution, which isn't really improving in the U.S. these days. But since Pruitt's LinkedIn profile calls him the "leading advocate against the EPA's activist agenda," I guess he's just doing his job.
We've had enough. The 1% own and operate the corporate media. They are doing everything they can to defend the status quo, squash dissent and protect the wealthy and the powerful. The Common Dreams media model is different. We cover the news that matters to the 99%. Our mission? To inform. To inspire. To ignite change for the common good. How? Nonprofit. Independent. Reader-supported. Free to read. Free to republish. Free to share. With no advertising. No paywalls. No selling of your data. Thousands of small donations fund our newsroom and allow us to continue publishing. Can you chip in? We can't do it without you. Thank you.