Scott Pruitt, attorney general of Oklahoma, is now the head of the Environmental Protection Agency after President Trump’s nomination. Pruitt’s past with the EPA has not always been a positive one, but with his new position, critics are concerned if he is the right man for the job.
Some organizations are also choosing not to make a statement about the decision of the new EPA head, remaining neutral to the situation.
“I should warn you that the Covenant hasn’t taken a position ‘for or against’ the nomination of Scott Pruitt,” said Paz Artaza-Regan, the program manager of Catholic Climate Covenant. This statement appeared in the organization’s letter to Senators. “We have only raised our ‘concerns’ and asked Senators to consider his record and his past stated skepticism before deciding whether to support his nomination.”
In the past, Pruitt sued the EPA because he believed it was the government’s way of negatively interfering with oil companies and their success. Oklahoma, which Pruitt was in charge of overseeing, was also among one of the first states to decline the actions of the Clean Power Plan. Pruitt was also very invested in drilling for oil in Oklahoma, which meant better business and more money for him.
Pruitt’s investment in oil did not just give him financial wealth and success, it could have also been the reason he landed his new job as the EPA’s head. Chief executives of oil and gas companies supported his drive towards the EPA, and over $300,000 was granted towards his campaigns. He owes most of his success to the oil business.
“The American people are tired of seeing billions of dollars drained from our economy due to unnecessary EPA regulations, and I intend to run this agency in a way that fosters both responsible protection of the environment and freedom for American businesses,” Pruitt was quoted by a few sources. His interest in the environment and business is a viewpoint other heads haven’t taken.
Pruitt’s support in companies that rely on fossil fuels doesn’t create a hopeful future for the EPA. His opposition to Obama’s Clean Power Plan was also not a good sign of support for the past direction of the agency.
In a confirmation hearing during the beginning of the month, Michael Brune, executive director of the Sierra Club, had a statement about the Cabinet pick. “Pruitt has basically made his career working to tear down, or at least challenge, environmental and public health safeguards. So why does he want to lead EPA?”
