President Donald Trump’s executive order would likely bolster the fossil fuel industry with the roll back of regulations. It also undoes Obama-era efforts to slow climate change.
Senator Sheldon Whitehouse who is co-chair of the Senate Climate Action Task Force said government regulations aren’t hurting the coal industry.
“No matter what the fossil fuel industry and its lackeys may claim, it’s cheap natural gas that’s killing coal – not environmental protections,” said Whitehouse.
Whitehouse said the consequences of rolling back environmental regulations could hurt a small state like Rhode Island.
Whitehouse cited coastal towns as being vulnerable to rising sea levels brought on by climate change. He also said second- hand air pollution coming downwind from other states was a health concern for Rhode Island residents.
Congressman Jim Langevin said the order jeopardized some of the gains made during the Obama administration in negotiating the Paris Agreement, which seeks to cut global greenhouse gas emissions.
“President Trump’s short-sighted executive order to begin repealing the Clean Power Plan is an assault to the health of the public and the planet,” said Langevin in a statement.
