Fossil fuel rollbacks: Pros & Cons

Federal government agencies are projecting billions of dollars in potential future savings for energy-sector companies that extract, burn, and transport fossil fuels based on the White House’s rolling back of environmental and safety rules. The Associated Press identified and analyzed 11 targeted rules for repeal by using the administration's own estimates that could lead to as much as $11.6B in potential future savings for energy-related firms, but at a steep price: Up to 1,400 annual premature deaths and illnesses from air pollution; 1B tons of vehicle emissions; increase risk of water contamination from the drilling technique of fracking; and fewer safety checks to prevent off-shore oil spills. The rule changes examined by The AP mark a much-needed pivot away from heavy regulations that threatened to hold back the president's goal of increasing energy production. But, The AP's findings seem to underscore the administration's willingness to put profits ahead of safety and pollution effects. (Source: The AP 01/27/19)