It’s hard not to take our eyes away from all of the Trump shiny objects – from the Russia probe, to the erosion of staff, to Stormy Daniels.
But we must because while we watch the Trump train wreck, other aspects of our country and world and lives are at risk.
President Trump seems poised to relax rules affecting tailpipe emissions in millions of U.S. cars, yet another move to eliminate pollution standards that have made our country – and Chattanooga, in particular – breathable again.
The Trump administration has decided to loosen Obama-era limits on exhaust from cars made from 2022 to 2025, according to Climate Wire, a news organization that focuses on energy and the environment. A draft declaration is under review at the Office of Management and Budget and must be made official by the end of the week. Obama’s ambitious target of 36 mpg by 2025 is expected to be trashed.
It’s in keeping with previous Trump moves against the environment. Over the past 13 months, Scott Pruitt, the administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, has taken at least 15 major actions on air pollution – all to delay, weaken or repeal protections, and all opposed by the American Lung Association and other health groups.