Judicial Watch: Trump EPA Can’t Just Suspend Established Rules

Once again, a federal court has told the Trump Administration that it can’t just ignore established law it doesn’t like. This time, it’s his Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator, Scott Pruitt, who’s been schooled by the U.S. Court of Appeals. Last week’s ruling instructs the EPA to follow established public review and comment process before declaring that it will “freeze implementation” of the rule requiring oil and gas companies to fix leaks of the potent greenhouse gas methane.

“The ruling recognizes that EPA lacks the authority to simply scrap these critical protections. And it shows the courts are going to enforce the rule of law on health and environment. The Trump Administration’s war on the environment and our health has hit a brick wall,” said David Doniger, director of the climate and clean air program for the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC).

Review the Court’s order in full here.

Meanwhile, the Trump Interior Department last week issued an order intended to speed up the processing of permits for oil and gas drilling on public lands. Perhaps it’s time for another instructive lawsuit…

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