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Last week, the Trump administration unveiled a controversial proposal to weaken implementation of the National Environmental Policy Act, a move that would reduce, and in some cases eliminate, environmental reviews of new pipelines, mines, and drilling proposals. Critically, the proposal would eliminate key opportunities for the public to comment on projects impacting their communities.
The plan follows years of efforts by the Interior Department to systematically suppress public input while advancing drilling and mining on our public lands. Today, the Center for Western Priorities (CWP) released a new analysis finding the department ignored overwhelming public opposition to ram through major policy changes favored by extractive industries.
CWP analyzed public comments submitted in response to 10 major policy changes proposed by the Interior Department, finding that more than 95% of public comments opposed each proposal. Nevertheless, the Interior Department ultimately finalized 8 of the 10 changes. While the department relented on policies to enact fees for protesting on the National Mall and to reduce government transparency, it proceeded with almost every policy change favored by drilling and mining companies.
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This analysis reveals just how strongly the public is opposed to Interior Secretary David Bernhardt’s drilling and mining agenda. All too often, the Trump administration ignores the public to roll back key policies. The laws that bring local communities to the table for discussions on land management are being undermined while loopholes are being opened up for the fossil fuel industry.”
