Last week, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it had suspended enforcement of U.S. environmental laws indefinitely, blaming the global COVID-19 pandemic. With this lawless and unprecedented decision, the EPA is avoidably placing communities in danger through unchecked air pollution and other pollution that threatens our air, water, land and wildlife resources — putting vulnerable Virginia communities at risk.
Air pollution exacerbates the severity of COVID-19. According to the New York Times, the millions of Americans already exposed to air pollution are at a greater risk of COVID-19. Experts are warning that air pollution is likely to increase the death rate from COVID-19, and those with chronic conditions may be less likely to fight off infection.
This abdication of EPA’s responsibility to protect our health and environment must be reversed. Responsible companies should continue to meet existing pollution standards and track the pollutants they release into our communities. There is no scientific or public health reason to not do so.