Senate Confirms Scott Pruitt to Lead EPA
Scott Pruitt, Oklahoma’s attorney general, was confirmed by the Senate on Feb. 17 to lead the Environmental Protection Agency.
The Senate voted 52-46, mainly along party lines, to give President Trump a key manager of his environment and climate change agenda.
Democrats had opposed Pruitt’s confirmation, noting a record that includes suing the EPA over regulatory policy.
Democrats sought to delay a vote on his confirmation until the release of e-mails having to do with communication with coal, oil and gas companies regarding his EPA suits.
Environmental groups led an opposition campaign in an effort to limit support for his nomination. Opponents warned he likely would seek to undo efforts to curb vehicle emissions.
During his Senate confirmation hearing Jan. 18, Pruitt acknowledged human activity contributed somewhat to changes in climate.
Pruitt also stressed he would maintain the agency’s finding that greenhouse gas poses a risk to public health and the environment. If confirmed, he added that he would look to review California's waiver under the Clean Air Act that allows it to set vehicle pollution rules.
