The influential federal Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia ruled the Trump
attempt to delay implementation of the rules restricting methane gas leaks from oil and gas operations, "arbitrary and capricious" in a decision handed down Monday.
Clean Air Council v. Scott Pruitt, U.S. Court of
Appeals, D.C. Circuit, 17-1145. Methane is a potent global warming gas that is leaked in huge amounts from the domestic drilling boom. The case was brought by a coalition of environmental groups including NRDC and the Sierra Club. They argued in court that the Pruitt EPA failed to follow the rules contained in the Clear Air Act of 1970. The pro-exploitation administrator announced an implementation freeze earlier this month. His decision was roundly criticized by scientists and environmentalists who think the rule is badly needed to protect the public's health. Typically, Pruitt conceded that delaying implementation could have a adverse effect on children's health, but that consideration was outweighed by the implementation's effect on the industry's bottom line.
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| Trumps cut ribbon on DC hotel, credit: Getty Images |
In related news a Department of Justice regulatory compliance official resigned
Trump Circus' lack of ethics. Ms. Hui Chen
wrote , "I am not willing nor able to compartmentalize my values as an professional, a citizen, and a human being," Welcome to the expensive club, Ms. Chen.
