Oppose the Nominations of Wehrum, Dourson, Ross, and Leopold for EPA

This week, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee will hold a hearing on the nominations of nominations of Bill Wehrum for Assistant Administrator for the Office of Air and Radiation, Dr. Michael Dourson for Assistant Administrator of the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, David Ross for Assistant Administrator for the Office of Water, and Matt Leopold to serve as General Counsel for the Environmental Protection Agency.

A closer inspection of the careers and writings of each of these candidates will reveal many instances where their views and actions are in opposition to policies and safeguards that would protect our air and water, our health, and our communities from toxic pollution. These nominees should not be entrusted with the responsibility of safeguarding our and water and protecting our health.

Tell your senator to oppose these nominations.

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Oppose the Nominations of Wehrum, Dourson, Ross, and Leopold for EPA

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I am deeply concerned by the nominations of Bill Wehrum for Assistant Administrator for the Office of Air and Radiation, Michael Dourson for Assistant Administrator of the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, David Ross for Assistant Administrator for the Office of Water, and Matt Leopold to serve as General Counsel for the Environmental Protection Agency. Each of these nominees have shown opposition to policies and safeguards that protect our air and water, our health, and our communities. Bill Wehrum, both during his tenure at EPA and as an industry lobbyist, actively worked to undermine the air pollution safeguards and public health protections guaranteed under the Clean Air Act. Wehrum’s work to roll back, delay, and weaken pollution safeguards makes clear that he is grossly unfit to serve in a position charged with ensuring clean air and protecting public health. Michael Dourson has made a career of distorting the facts of the toxic effects of substances like chlorpyrifos, TCE, PFOA, and 1,4 dioxane. Dourson’s record of inaccurately representing the health risks of toxic chemical exposure and downplaying the potential for harm, particularly to children, mean that we can’t trust Dourson with protecting children and families from toxic chemicals. David Ross’ career demonstrates his unwillingness to take meaningful action to address pollution violations and take enforcement action to protect our water and public health. His record is especially concerning given that the responsibilities of the Office of Water are to ensure protections for water and to safeguard families against toxic runoff, pollution, and discharges. Matt Leopold, as General Counsel, would play a key role in Administrator Pruitt’s plan to roll back the Clean Power Plan, and in the ongoing efforts to roll back, weaken, or rescind safeguards issued by the EPA to protect our environment and our health. Leopold has questioned EPA’s authority to regulate pollution and entrusting Leopold with the responsibility of General Counsel raises troubling concerns. With them at EPA, I fear for the future of enforcement of our bedrock environmental laws, like the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act and for our air, water, and public health. Please oppose the nominations of Bill Wehrum, Michael Dourson, Matt Leopold, and David Ross.