Rabbi Jennie Rosenn:
During the ten days of Repentance – between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur – EPA administrator Lee Zeldin has chosen to announce the end of limits on pollution that power plants emit while burning coal and gas.
We, American Jews who care about the climate and our collective future, are appalled and heartbroken by this unconscionable move that will result in countless deaths and will threaten the very livability of our planet. The fact that the first Jewish administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency – who has made a public display of his alleged commitment to Jewish values – is announcing this during the High Holidays makes it even more egregious.
During this season, we pray: “On Rosh Hashanah it is written, and on Yom Kippur it is sealed: How many shall pass away and how many shall be born; who shall live and who shall die; who shall live out their allotted time and who shall depart before their time; who [shall perish] by water and who by fire…”
Mr. Zeldin and the Trump administration have decided that many shall die in order to enable corporate polluters and billionaires to get even richer. This decision will accelerate the heating of our planet; endanger the lives of people in frontline communities who live and work near power plants; and delay our nation’s transition to clean energy (which is more affordable and safe). It is as if Mr. Zeldin is making a mockery of this most sacred time on the Jewish calendar.
We urge Administrator Zeldin to reverse this dangerous decision before it is too late.