LANSING–Yesterday, EPA chief Andrew Wheeler visited Detroit in a desperate attempt to spin Donald Trump’s repeated attacks on the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and his callous disregard for protecting clean water for Michigan. In response, Michigan Democrats held him accountable, highlighting Trump’s broken promises on the issue.
Michigan Advance: EPA chief touts Great Lakes plan in Detroit months after Trump’s proposed cuts
Ken Coleman
October 22, 2019
Key Points:
- The GLRI was launched in 2010 to accelerate efforts to protect and restore the set of lakes. Earlier this year, Trump again called for a 90% cut to the GLRI in his budget proposal, sparking bipartisan criticism from Michigan officials.
- However, Oakland County Water Commissioner Jim Nash noted Trump’s previous attempts to chop the GLRI that he said is “critical” for his job of “keeping our drinking water clean. “… Now he sends Andrew Wheeler to Michigan to say he supports the Great Lakes. That’s wrong – we need this money,” Nash said. “From rolling back life saving regulations to threatening to cut funding for critical programs, Trump has broken his promise to Michiganders to protect our Great Lakes.”
- U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee (D-Flint) blasted the Trump administration’s “terrible record when it comes to protecting clean water and our environment. “Actions speak louder than words,” Kildee said. “Sadly, Administrator Wheeler is trying to mask the Trump Administration’s terrible environmental record. It takes a lot of nerve to fly into Michigan and celebrate Great Lakes programs that the Trump Administration previously tried to eliminate.”
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