PORTLAND, OR – Oregon Environmental Council applauds Governor Kate Brown for proposing the Environmental Protection Act, a important piece of legislation that, if approved in 2019, would maintain the existing federal standards for clean air and water and protect against any efforts by the Trump Administration to reverse these foundational environmental laws.

Oregonians deserve clean air and clean water, no matter who serves as President of the United States. Governor Brown’s announcement today signals to federal policymakers that states have the ability to step up and do what is necessary to protect the health of our own communities. Oregon Environmental Council’s Climate Program Director Jana Gastellum, who spoke at a press conference with Governor Brown on Wednesday, expressed concern for the roughly 46 environmental regulations that are being eliminated or rolled back.

“We are in an unprecedented era where we cannot take these protections for granted,” said Oregon Environmental Council Climate Program Director Jana Gastellum. “Clean air and clean water are the building blocks of what we need for a thriving society and strong economy. And make no mistake, they are under threat.”

Oregon Environmental Council joins Governor Brown in calling other state elected leaders across the country to propose and adopt similar legislation to protection bedrock environmental laws.

What’s at stake? The Mercury and Air Toxics Standards, for example, that protects pregnant women and children from the most harmful power plant emissions. Millions of tons of greenhouse gases that will be pumped into our air after withdrawing the Clean Power Plan, one of the most ambitious global commitments to reduce climate pollution.

“Basic common sense tell us not to make problems worse,” Gastellum said. “Governor Brown’s proposal to maintain these bedrock environmental laws while still enabling Oregon to adopt stronger protections is critical. With enough states working together, we can create our own protective shield for our communities.”

###

About Oregon Environmental Council: We bring Oregonians together to protect our water, air and land with healthy solutions that work for today and for future generations. Founded in 1968 by concerned Oregonians from across the state, we are a membership-based, nonpartisan nonprofit. Follow us! @oeconline | OEConline.org