President Trump’s newly sworn in Environmental Protection Agency chief will focus on restoring trust between the states and the federal government, the agency said Friday afternoon.
EPA administrator Scott Pruitt, the former attorney general of Oklahoma, was confirmed by the Senate and sworn in by Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito Friday as the 14th administrator of the agency.
“Administrator Pruitt believes promoting and protecting a strong and healthy environment is one of the lifeblood priorities of the government, and EPA is a vital part of that mission,” the EPA said. “He has a proven record of working with industry, farmers, ranchers, landowners, small business owners and others to protect our natural resources.”
Pruitt also said he looks forward to working with the “thousands of dedicated public servants” working for the agency “who have devoted their careers to helping realize this shared vision, while faithfully administering environmental laws,” the agency said.
That statement comes just weeks after Trump’s former head of the EPA transition, Myron Ebell, told media outlets that the administration could slash staff by 10,000 employees, dropping from 15,000 to 5,000 staff members.
Pruitt’s other cause will be to restore the “proper balance” between states and the federal government on regulations.
“Administrator Pruitt is recognized as a national leader in the cause to restore the proper balance between the states and federal government, and establish common-sense regulations that are fair and provide relief where needed,” the statement read.
“As a dedicated civil servant, Pruitt created policies that serve the people,” EPA said. “He strongly believes environmental law, policy, and progress are all based on cooperation among the states, cooperation between the states and EPA, and cooperation between regulators and the public.”
