Blog Stage Part Two: The E.P.A.'s winds of change that might not smell so sweet.

         The E.P.A., the environmental protection agency is the government agency in charge of protecting human health and the environment through regulation.  There are some major changes headed its way.  The New York Times published an article about drastic changes that the new head of the E.P.A. Scott Pruitt has done in a short 4 months since he took office. In the article “Counseled by Industry, Not Staff, E.P.A. Chief is Off to a Blazing Start” provided details about the astounding changes that seem almost unreal.  Changes coming from the new administration include, reversing a ban that E.PA. scientist linked to damaging the nervous system of children, and taking the lead in removing the US from the Paris Climate Change agreement. Pruitt is now receiving consultations from lobbyists and lawyers and rather than the actual E.P.A. senior staff. Mr. Pruitt has sued the E.P.A. 14 times prior to his appointment to the E.P.A. and is lead it. He states his focus to be “tangible pollution: and he proposes to focus on a Superfund Program for which is supposed to clean up oil sites, his new budget for 2018 will actually cut the programs funds by 25%.      

Regardless of where you fall in the political spectrum. Our future and our environment are co-dependent. We need to be aware of what is happening in our country, legislation that can affect everyone us. The E.P.A. regulates a multitude of health hazards that if left to open to deregulation, can cripple our future generations health and homes. E.P.A. needs to be based on science and data not regulated by private company interest, stay informed.