EPA was a success story - and that was a problem for polluters

Unraveling decades of environmental progress, the Trump administration is systematically dismantling the Environmental Protection Agency. It’s dismantling critical statutes that have protected public health and the environment for years.

In today’s episode, Ken is joined by his old boss and mentor, former EPA Administrator Bill Reilly, who served in various roles under four U.S. presidents — Richard Nixon, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama. As EPA chief from 1989 to 1993, Reilly championed landmark policies like the 1990 Clean Air Act amendments.  He also played a key role in responding to major environmental disasters, including the Exxon Valdez and BP Deepwater Horizon oil spills.

The Trump administration claims to be defunding the EPA for “economic reasons.” Bill and Ken, however, highlight how environmental regulations have historically driven economic growth rather than hindered it as the agency’s critics claim.

For a deeper dive into today’s discussion:

Three Former E.P.A. Leaders: You’ll Miss It When It’s Gone

Administrator William K. Reilly, 1989-1993 (EPA Archives)

The Cuyahoga River Caught Fire at Least a Dozen Times, but No One Cared Until 1969 (Smithsonian Magazine)

Lee Zeldin "Power the Great American Comeback"

Clean Air Act Revisions (C-SPAN)

Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling (C-SPAN)

Alaskan Oil Spill Update (C-SPAN)

Ken Cook Is Having Another Episode every other week.

@kencookspodcast

www.ewg.org

@environmentalworkinggroup