Environmentalists criticize Trump's choice to head EPA


Save Story
Leer en español

Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes

This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump says his administration "strongly believes in environmental protection."

But environmentalists say the man Trump has chosen to head the Environmental Protection Agency doesn't have any such commitment.

Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt is a global warming skeptic. And he says Americans are tired of "unnecessary EPA regulations" that he says are draining "billions of dollars" from the nation's economy.

In a statement, Trump says Pruitt will be a "powerful advocate" for protecting the environment, while also promoting "jobs, safety and opportunity." He says Pruitt will restore the EPA's "Essential mission of keeping our air and water safe," but won't spend money on what Trump calls an "out of control, anti-energy agenda."

After word broke of the expected pick, environmental groups took a strong stand against Pruitt, describing him as a puppet of polluters. The Sierra Club said it was like "putting an arsonist in charge of fighting fires."

Representatives of mining and oil interests cheered Trump's choice. The head of the Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association says Pruitt will "put rational and reasonable regulation at the forefront."

%@AP Links

GRAPHICSBANK: Scott Pruitt headshot, as Oklahoma State Attorney General, graphic element on gray (7 Dec 2016)

APPHOTO NYAH103: Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt arrives at Trump Tower in New York, Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2016. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) (7 Dec 2016)

<<APPHOTO NYAH103 (12/07/16)££

Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Most recent U.S. stories

Related topics

U.S.
The Associated Press

    STAY IN THE KNOW

    Get informative articles and interesting stories delivered to your inbox weekly. Subscribe to the KSL.com Trending 5.
    By subscribing, you acknowledge and agree to KSL.com's Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

    KSL Weather Forecast