EPA's Disastrous Agenda. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced this week that it will reassess an Obama-era chemical safety rule, delaying its implementation until at least 2019. As is, the rule would require companies to take more steps to prepare for accidents and would expand the EPA's investigative and auditing powers. The delay comes at the request of industry, unsurprisingly.

In 2015, the Gold King Mine in Colorado leaked millions of gallons of toxic metals and acids. This week, the EPA's Office of the Inspector General concluded that EPA, which did not have standards at the time for collapsed mine portals, was not at fault. More shockingly, the report made no recommendations for how the agency could improve. EPA officials have repeatedly stated that their priorities are to promote "clean air and water."

EPA is proposing a two-year delay of an Obama-era rule aiming to reduce methane emissions from oil and natural gas operations. Many oil and gas companies argued that the rule was costly and duplicative, though industry was somewhat split on the issue. What is most concerning is that industry does not need to meet the standards while the EPA's review moves forward — a problem environmental groups are looking to contend in court.

BLM suspends methane rule. Earlier this year, Congress failed to pass a Congressional Review Act measure aimed at revoking a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) regulation restricting methane emissions from drilling operations on public lands. Following the vote, BLM indicated they will start reviewing the rule. And now, BLM has suspended key parts of the methane rule while internal review and litigation plays out. The postponed requirements include a mandate to capture a certain amount of waste gas produced during production, along with storage tank vapors; measure flared gas; upgrade or replace some equipment; and have in place leak detection and repair programs.

Pruitt Cowers at G7. The Group of Seven (G7) environment ministers made a statement Monday on climate change. EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt, representing the United States, abstained from large sections of the statement. Pruitt's detest for international cooperation and skepticism of climate change led to there being only a footnote in final text, reading: "The United States will continue to engage with key international partners in a manner that is consistent with our domestic priorities, preserving both a strong economy and a healthy environment."

Energy Dominance is the Energy Independence. Since the oil embargoes in the 1970s, the policy of the United States has been to conserve energy and reduce foreign energy imports in order to be more "energy independent." The Trump Administration has started using a new term: energy dominance. According to the Washington Post, this essentially means "to promote as much oil, gas, and coal development as possible." The March 28 Executive Order on Promoting Energy Independence and Economic Growth is written so broadly that it can be read as anti-energy-efficiency and pro-energy-dominance. The administration claims to want the free market to run without interference, but continues to set policies that are boons to specific industries.

Bears Ears Follow Up. Thank you, Risers, for voicing your support for Bears Ears National Monument. Although Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke is not recommending its revocation, he is recommending downsizing it to protect only the "smallest area" needed to cover important sites.Environmental and Native American advocacy groups announced their intent to sue should the administration follow Zinke's recommendations.

What you can do!

• Submit a comment in support of Bears Ears National Monument — and 20 other national monuments — by July 10, 2017.
• Attend the Rise Stronger + 500 Women Scientists Meet and Greet if you're in DC
• Call your representatives to oppose Trump's massive proposed cuts to EPA's funding