Posted on 12/07/2016 1:23:35 PM PST by SeekAndFind
On Thursday, sources confirmed to multiple media outlets that Donald Trump has chosen Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt to lead the Environmental Protection Agency. Earlier in the day, Trump's Homeland Security pick retired general John Kelly (here's what you should know about him) was also announced.
The choice of Pruitt is bad news for environmentalists as he has led the charge nationally against President Obama's climate change policies. Here's what you need to know.
Pruitts opinion on climate change aligns with that of Trump, who repeatedly has dismissed global warming as a hoax, in conflict with the overwhelming scientific consensus that human activity through greenhouse gas emissions is the primary cause of changes in the climate. He co-authored a piece in the Tulsa World in May that the debate over climate is far from settled, and that scientists continue to disagree about the degree and extent of global warming and its connection to the actions of mankind.
[The Hill]
Pruitt joined a coalition of states and other challengers in a failed attempt to kill EPAs 2009 scientific declaration that climate change poses a threat to public health and welfare. That EPA "endangerment finding" is the basis for many of the agency's subsequent greenhouse gas rules and is likely to come under new attack under Trump.
[Politico]
Oklahoma, under Pruitts lead, was one of two dozen states to file suit against the EPA over the Clean Power Plan, the Obama administrations regulatory effort to curb emissions from power plants. Pruitt said he would ensure that the power plant rules, and other regulatory efforts from the Obama administration, will ... not survive his presidency.
Attorneys general in at least a dozen states are working with energy companies and other corporate interests, which in turn are providing them with record amounts of money for their political campaigns, including at least $16 million this year...[N]ever before have attorneys general joined on this scale with corporate interests to challenge Washington and file lawsuits in federal court...For Mr. Pruitt, the benefits have been clear. Lobbyists and company officials have been notably solicitous, helping him raise his profile as president for two years of the Republican Attorneys General Association[.]
Speaking to a group of oil and gas executives, Pruitt said:
Whether its EPA through [carbon standards], EPA through regional haze [regulations] or Fish and Wildlife through endangered species, what we see is a regulatory approach that says Fossil fuels are bad, and were going to do all we can to elevate renewables....There is a reason and a need to have an Environmental Protection Agency...The EPA has performed a very important role for us all. There are air-quality issues that cross state lines. There are water-quality issues, obviously, that cross state lines.
Throughout the debate on same-sex marriage, Pruitt actively resisted the notion:
A US Supreme Court decision legalizing same-sex marriage for all states threatens Oklahomans ability to live out their religious beliefs in the public square, Attorney General Scott Pruitt said in a written statement. As an example, Pruitt said, churches and other religious organizations could face having their tax-exempt status revoked for refusing to recognize same-sex marriage.
Pruitt filed a brief in the case supporting the idea that privately held companies could withhold birth control coverage from employees based on religious beliefs:
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Monday that privately-held companies don't have to provide birth control to their employees, if that goes against their religious beliefs. Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt says he's thankful for the high court's ruling in favor of Hobby Lobby. He's known the founders the Green family for years, and had filed a brief with the Supreme Court in support of their position.
[News 9]
Like!
Sounds like a winner.
“What you need to know about Trumps pick for (insert position here). (insert person here) is a racist bigto homophobe Islamaphobe xenophobe transphobe microaggressor who hates women and children. -Media Template
Will he end the EPA War on WEST Virginia? (looks promising)
Trump is keeping his word; and I appreciate it.
Sounds like they’re big ones.
http://scottpruitt.com/meet-scott/
From another thread about Pruitt. He’s a federalist, I like it!!!
Just started reading the news, I’m smiling more and more. :)
Right after the meeting with Algore! :)
Meets Ivanka’s approval?
We’re STILL winning!
Oh crap...another record day in the stock market tomorrow.
I love Donald Trump.
“Oh noes..he’s abandoning us!”- concerned for Trump foundation
Me, too.
Looks like a fine choice!
All these appointments and the regard they show for Trump’s opponents are beginning to remind me of Charles Bronson’s line in Mr. Majestyk, spoken smilingly before beating the crap put of the movie’s principal heavy. “Seems like there’s no use trying to get on your good side.” Then after delivering the beating “Hey, why don’t you call a cop?”
Winning again feels good.
>> Pruitt Has Acknowledged The Need For The EPA
Next?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.