Senate confirms Scott Pruitt to lead EPA

Senate Democrats last week unsuccessfully tried to delay a vote on Mr. Pruitt’s nomination until the emails were released, arguing they could provide vital information into his connections to oil-and-gas companies.

“As a former Governor, I understand how crucial it is for an executive leader to have the chance to put his team in place”, Manchin, a Democrat, said.

At the end of his speech, Pruitt quoted another famous environmentalist – John Muir, the 19th century activist and founder of the Sierra Club – as a way to reassure employees that his business-friendly approach is compatible with the agency’s goal of environmental protection. IPAA President and CEO Barry Russell issued the following statement: “IPAA congratulates Scott Pruitt on his confirmation to lead the Environmental Protection Agency under the Trump administration”.

Pruitt wants the agency to value economic growth and jobs, which is likely a nod to the declining coal industry.

In a February 21 letter, the Association of Global Automakers asked EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt to withdraw the agency’s January 13 determination that greenhouse gas emissions standards through 2025 should remain unchanged from when they took effect in 2012.

“Scott Pruitt has sued EPA to block protections against toxic mercury, which impacts children’s development”. Pruitt himself has sued the agency repeatedly as Oklahoma attorney general for what he saw as regulatory overreach.

But Pruitt made no mention of what’s likely to be big news this week: Trump is planning to sign executive orders that would start the process of rolling back two major EPA regulations: the Clean Power Plan, one of [President Barack] Obama’s signature climate programs, and the Waters of the us rule, which regulates pollution in smaller bodies of water.

Pruitt and the Oklahoma attorney general’s office are accused of ignoring multiple open records requests. “That will send a great message to those that are regulated, but more importantly they will know what’s expected of them and they can act accordingly”. “Regulators exist to give certainty to those we regulate”, he said. Sometimes those authorities are broadly stated, giving much discretion to agencies … but other times Congress has been very prescriptive … we need to respect that. It remains to be seen how Pruitt’s actions and direction for the agency will sit with longtime staffers.

“When we do that”, Pruitt told employees, “we avoid he uncertainty of litigation”. She characterized him as antithetical to the EPA’s mission to protect the environment and human health. It was completely absent of any mention of protecting clean water, air and land.

Pruitt was introduced at the event by Catherine McCabe, who had served as acting administrator until his confirmation.

After introducing him, McCabe gave Pruitt an EPA lapel pin and an EPA hat.

“We don’t have to choose between the two”, he said.

He told EPA staff that an “attitude of finding answers, being problem solvers and making decisions” was necessary when dealing with the monumental issues concerning the environment and natural resources.