A desire for better outcomes is a defining characteristic of the American experience. We can humbly acknowledge our imperfections while striving for excellence across America’s social, industrial and environmental standing. That desire is especially apparent in advances to energy production and the ever-shrinking environmental footprint of an industry representative of economic growth, human flourishing and sustained environmental progress.
This Earth Day, let’s strive to focus on the true story of America’s environmental experience. And also celebrate our innumerable successes. While some will predictably call for top-down, costly regulations coupled with alarmist rhetoric, America’s environmental story is one of utmost celebration. It reflects innovation, thoughtful leadership, competition, a strive toward efficiency and evolving science.
Our air is the cleanest on record. Since 1970 the Environmental Protection Agency has carefully measured the presence of six common air pollutants and to date, we have cut those emissions by 78 percent. The driver of this success is the concept of cooperative federalism whereby the EPA works alongside air quality experts at the state and local level while building constructive partnerships with industry stakeholders.