Congresswoman Debbie Dingell Warns Against Rollbacks to the National Environmental Policy Act

Strategic Insights -

Congresswoman Debbie Dingell of Michigan has expressed concerns over potential rollbacks to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) in the current bipartisan infrastructure package. NEPA, a landmark law spearheaded by Rep. John D. Dingell and Senator Scoop Jackson, has been a cornerstone of environmental protection in the United States for over 50 years. Dingell argues that such rollbacks would undermine public review and input, exacerbate climate change, and undermine the environmental justice community, which has historically borne the brunt of environmental and community harms.

Key Takeaways:

  • Rep. Debbie Dingell has sent a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer expressing concerns over potential rollbacks to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) in the bipartisan infrastructure package.
  • NEPA, spearheaded by Congressman John D. Dingell and Senator Scoop Jackson, has proven to be one of the most effective laws to protect the environment for over 50 years.
  • Dingell argues that rollbacks would limit public review and input, exacerbate climate change, and undermine the environmental justice community.
  • She notes that NEPA has been a cornerstone of environmental protection and that there are over 100 nations worldwide that have enacted national environmental policies modeled after NEPA.
  • Dingell has repeatedly fought for strengthening NEPA, introducing legislation opposing rollbacks in 2020 and speaking out against the Trump Administration's threats to environmental protections.
  • She emphasizes the importance of NEPA's "look before you leap" approach to federal decision-making, which has helped protect clean air, clean water, and public health in communities across the country.
  • Dingell urges lawmakers to reconsider any efforts that would negatively roll back NEPA and to understand the long-term ramifications of such provisions.

Statistics:

  • Over 100 countries have enacted national environmental policies modeled after NEPA (Source: Letter)
  • NEPA has been in effect for over 50 years (Source: Letter)
  • Congressman John D. Dingell and Senator Scoop Jackson spearheaded NEPA (Source: Letter)

Sources:

  • Letter from Rep. Debbie Dingell to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer, July 19, 2021