Washington, DC – Today, it was announced that President-elect Donald Trump has chosen Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt to serve as the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee and a Co-Chair of the Senate Climate Action Task Force, released the following statement on the pick:
“At every turn, Scott Pruitt has chosen his fossil fuel donors over the health and wellbeing of the people he serves. He has fought rules that protect the American people from toxins that cause terrible harm. He is an inveterate denier of settled climate science and led the opposition to the EPA’s Clean Power Plan to address the climate crisis. He is willing to mouth whatever message big fossil fuel companies want to convey – to the letter. This record shows disdain for the EPA’s mission and ignorance of its importance. Americans trust EPA and understand the critical work it does to protect the air we breathe and water we drink. I expect the American people will be shocked that President-elect Trump has chosen someone with such disdain for their health as they learn more about Pruitt during his confirmation hearings. Stay tuned.”
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