"Trump [is] fast-tracking dirty fossil fuel projects without letting communities or experts have a say, while blocking the cleaner, cheaper energy that would actually lower costs for families," said Alex Glass, a director at the climate advocacy group Climate Power.
Glass linked the administration's policy decisions directly to political support received from corporate executives within the energy industry.
"Make no mistake: Trump is looking out for his big oil billionaire buddies, not American families," said Glass.
Representatives from wildlife and land conservation groups focused on the direct environmental and fiscal consequences that local communities will face due to lowered corporate liabilities.
"This rollback lets companies put up far less money than cleanup actually costs, so when the wells stop producing and the operators move on, taxpayers and nearby communities can be left with polluted water, leaking methane, and the tab," said Amy Mall, director of fossil fuels at the Natural Resources Defense Council.
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The administrative proposal follows similar actions taken by the Forest Service, the Council on Environmental Quality, and the Department of Agriculture over the past 18 months to limit environmental review requirements.
