Florida Moms Rally Against EPA Nominee
Posted January 13, 2017 10:15 am | Public News Service
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MIAMI, FL – As confirmation hearings for President-elect Donald Trump's Cabinet nominees continue in Washington, D. C., his choice to run the Environmental Protection Agency is facing serious questions from parents in Florida.
The advocacy group Clean Air Moms Action is running a
series of television ads highlighting what it says is
Scott Pruitt's long history of opposing clean air and
water standards.
Karina Castillo, Florida field organizer for Moms Clean
Air Force, says while Florida might not have as much
visible smog as other states, the damage done by what
can't be seen is real.
"It leads to asthma attacks, respiratory illnesses,
decreased productivity in school," she points out. "It
even affects pregnant women. And so, it's really
important that we are proactive and not reactive in
protecting our environment."
As Oklahoma attorney general, Pruitt shut down his
office's environmental enforcement unit and actively
crusaded against some of the EPA's health and
environmental regulations. His confirmation hearing has
not yet been scheduled.
Castillo says mothers can control many factors in their
children's lives, but the air they breathe isn't one of
them.
"So, putting somebody in charge now that has a long-term
vision, and that understands that this is important now
for the benefit of their future, is paramount," she
states.
Castillo adds that Clean Air Moms Action is running its
TV ads in seven states, including Florida.
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