While U.S. Environmental Protection Agency nominee Scott Pruitt was in Capitol Hill last week to meet with senators, the Oklahoma Attorney General spoke briefly on his views of the relationship between the states and federal government related to environmental protection.
“Our environmental statutes have a very important role for EPA and a very important role for the states,” said Pruitt, after meeting with West Virginia Senator Shelley Moore Capito late Wednesday afternoon. “And it’s important that they work together to ensure the safety and health of our citizens. That’s something we’ll be committed to in the future.”
Pruitt received accolades from his peer group when it was reported that he had the unwavering support of 24 Republican state attorneys general.
“When our nation is confronted with issues affecting the environment that are not covered by a particular statute, Scott will come to Congress for a solution, rather than inventing power for his agency,” the attorneys general wrote in a letter to Senate committee leaders. “He wholeheartedly believes in a strong Environmental Protection Agency that carries out its proper duties, providing a backstop to state and local regulators as they develop environmental regulations suited to the needs of their own communities.”