Trump's EPA isn't safeguarding Nevadans' health: Stetson

Rebekah Stetson | Reno Gazette-Journal

Show Caption Hide Caption What's an inversion and why does it make it harder to fight wildfires? One factor that can make a wildfire especially difficult to fight is the occurrence of a weather phenomenon known as an inversion.

Nevadans count on the Environmental Protection Agency to protect us from dangerous pollution that makes our kids sick and our air more dangerous to breathe. This summer we are experiencing is not only the hottest on record, we also have extremely poor air quality stemming from a slew of fires, one of them being the largest that Nevada has ever experienced. Something must be done to protect our well-being.

My kids and I, a healthy young family, are not able to enjoy the outdoor activities we love and in the ways we are used to. Our climbing, hiking and lake exploring adventures have been stunted this year. These are the times we look forward to most all year! Our vulnerable populations, our young, sick and elderly, are restricted to staying inside this summer. Even being protected by the indoors, these family members of ours are experiencing health impacts as a result of so much thick smoke in the air for such a long time. My grandfather, Grandpa Bob, a very active and healthy 84-year-old, told me that even a short 10-minute walk with his great-grandkids left him coughing and deciding that it is just best to stay inside all the time. This is seriously affecting our quality of life.

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Unfortunately, our administration is driving our environmental safeguards into the ground. Acting EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler is intent on advancing disgraced former EPA chief Scott Pruitt’s toxic agenda, despite his promise to run the agency differently than his predecessor. Wheeler, a former coal lobbyist, has revealed himself to be far more concerned with advancing the interests of corporate polluters than he is with keeping American families safe. We must take back our health from corporate puppets like Trump and Wheeler.

The Trump administration’s scheme to bury the lifesaving Clean Power Plan is case in point. Their “dirty power scam” would recklessly expose millions of Americans to more pollution and place the health and safety of our communities at risk. By even the Trump administration’s own estimates, the Clean Power Plan will save thousands of lives. But this hasn’t stopped Trump and Wheeler from attacking this important policy.

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The reality is that the Clean Power Plan is the result of extensive public engagement, will save lives, and enjoys strong public support. That’s why I join others in my community in supporting these clean air protections and say no to Trump and Wheeler’s scheme to bury them.

Our families deserve clean air. My grandpa deserves to be able to take his daily walks with his grandkids uninhibited by mass air pollution from smoke. My kids and I deserve to frolic in the Ruby Mountains and swim in the clear waters of Lake Tahoe without choking. Please join us in protecting our beautiful home, Nevada, by calling your local congressional candidate and demanding that our administration maintain and adhere to policies that safeguard our health!

Rebekah Stetson is the Nevada grassroots climate outreach consultant for the National Wildlife Federation.