1. United States
2. Wash.
3. Letter

The decision to curtail the EPA's enforcement efforts against severe pollution is deeply concerning and misguided. The agency's core mission must prioritize environmental protection over corporate profits. Scaling back investigations into egregious violations, such as the refinery in New Mexico accused of excessive air pollution or the Louisiana chemical plant leaking hazardous gas, represents a dereliction of duty. Exempting entire industries like energy production from enforcement actions absent imminent threats disregards the cumulative and long-term impacts of unchecked pollution. Moreover, the directive to disregard whether violations disproportionately harm disadvantaged communities flies in the face of environmental justice principles. Robust enforcement is essential to safeguarding public health, ecosystems, and a livable climate for all. The EPA must rededicate itself to its founding purpose of vigorously upholding environmental laws and regulations for the greater good.