EPA head says clean-water access is ‘biggest environmental threat’ — despite regulation rollbacks

(CNN)EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler said access to clean drinking water worldwide is “the biggest environmental threat,” while climate change threats are “50 to 75 years out” in an interview with CBS on Wednesday. While speaking at the Wilson Center later that day, Wheeler said he has become frustrated with the “current dialogue around environmental issues” because water issues often “take a back seat.” “Up to 2.5 billion people around the world lack access to safe drinking water and, as a result, proper sanitation. This fact leads to anywhere from 1 to 3 million deaths every year,” he said in his remarks at the Wilson Center. RELATED: New report from environmental group details reduced enforcement at EPA Wheeler pledged to “do more to address these issues” and said he believes the administration can focus on the clean water crisis “while still addressing other challenges that loom on the horizon.” Read More While Wheeler’s speech focused on American interventions in countries around the world to improve water conditions, the Trump administration over the past two years has rolled back EPA regulations that environmental advocates say protected US access to clean and safe drinking water. “Administrator Wheeler is not even getting his own… Read full this story

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