Environmental Group Sues EPA for Copies of Scott Pruitt’s Speeches

The environmental group, The Environmental Integrity Project has filed suit against the Environmental Protection Agency in a fight over the release of copies of speeches given by Administrator Scott Pruitt.

The organization accuses the EPA of “breach of contract” for not supplying copies of the speeches by Oct. 24 under a Freedom of Information Act request.

“This stonewalling follows a pattern with Administrator Pruitt, who seems to have an obsession with secrecy,” said Mary Greene, Deputy Director of the Environmental Integrity Project.  “Pruitt meets and speaks frequently with industry groups – but not public health or environmental advocates – and then makes decisions that benefit only industry, while ignoring the broader American public he’s supposed to serve.”

Since taking office, Pruitt, the former Oklahoma Attorney General has not followed the practice of posting speeches and public presentations on the EPA website.

The EIP filed suit pointing out that it had not received any response for its FOIA request, even though by law the agency is required to respond within 20 days.

Among the many speeches the EIP wants copies of is one delivered March 23, 2017 at the National Stripper Well Association meeting in Oklahoma City’s Bricktown Embassy Suites.

 

“When you look at who Administrator Pruitt is meeting and having conversations with, it is clear that average citizens do not have his ear – it’s big business and the fossil fuels industry,” said Greene.  “We think that American citizens – who are Mr. Pruitt’s boss – have a right to know what their employee is promising to these groups.”

Here is a list of the speeches sought by the EIP:

Feb. 28: American Farm Bureau Board Meeting, Gaylord National Resort, National Harbor, MD

March 6: National Association of Manufacturers, Phoenician Hotel, Scottsdale, AZ

March 9: Cambridge Energy Research Associates, Hilton Americas – Houston, TX

March 14: Edison Electric Institute, Mandarin Hotel, DC

March 22: American Petroleum Institute’s Executive Committee and Board of Directors Dinner, Trump International Hotel, DC

March 23: National Stripper Well Association, Bricktown Embassy Suites, OK

March 29: Oklahoma Farm Bureau, EPA HQ, DC

March 30: National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Legislative Conference, Liaison Capitol Hill Hotel, DC

March 31: Federalist Society, Tony Cheng’s, DC

April 5: Ag America Caucus Leadership, J.W. Marriott, DC

April 5: Fuels America Coalition, EPA HQ, DC

April 13: Consol Energy, Jimmy Brock and 300 coal miners, Harvey Mine, PA

April 21: National Association of Royalty Owners Convention, Embassy Suites Norman Hotel & Convention Center, OK

April 24: National Mining Association Executive Committee, Ritz Carlton Golf Resort, FL

April 26: Alliance Resource Partners LP Board of Directors Meeting, Trump International Hotel, DC

May 4: American Forest and Paper Association, Washington, DC

May 9: Portland Cement Association, Marriott, DC

May 15: National Association of Chemical Distributors Board, EPA HQ, DC

May 16: Western Growers, EPA HQ, DC

May 18: United Egg Producers, EPA HQ, DC

May 22: Congressional Coal Caucus, Capitol Hill, DC

May 22: Large Public Power Council, Washington, DC

May 23: American Iron and Steel, Washington, DC

May 23: Congressional Western Caucus Meeting, Capitol Hill, DC

May 24: American Exploration & Production Council, Capitol Hill, DC

May 24: Energy and Environment Symposium, The City Club of Washington, DC

May 24: Society of Chemical Manufacturers & Affiliates, EPA HQ, DC

May 25: International Association of Drilling Contractors, EPA HQ, DC

May 25: US Oil and Gas Association Board of Directors and Executive Committee Annual Meeting, Washington, DC

June 14: American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers Board, EPA HQ, DC

June 20: National Association of Manufacturers, EPA HQ, DC

June 29: American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity Board Meeting, EPA HQ, DC

June 30: Manhattan Institute, Manhattan Institute, NY

July 11: Americans for Tax Reform, EPA HQ, DC

July 11: National Farm Bureau’s State Leadership Meeting, Gaylord National Resort, National Harbor, MD

July 12: National Turkey Federation Annual Leadership Conference, Washington Court Hotel, DC

July 20: Waters of the U.S. Roundtable, Arkansas Poultry Federation, AR

August 2: Liberty Mine, Liberty Mine, IN

September 13: Conservative Action Project, Washington, DC

September 25: National Stone, Sand, and Gravel Association, Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill, DC

October 4: Occidental Petroleum Board of Directors, Washington, DC

October 5: National Association of Home Builders, Colorado Springs, CO

October 6: Arizona Manufacturers Council, Phoenix, AZ

October 9: Agriculture Roundtable, Georgetown, KY

October 12: Roundtable with Mississippi Farm Bureau, Jackson, MS

October 13: Biodiesel Fuels Board, EPA HQ, DC

October 17: Heritage Foundation, Washington, DC

October 19: Roundtable with San Jacinto Community Groups, Houston, TX

October 19: Texas Oil and Gas Association, The Woodlands, TX

October 23: Tennessee Farm Bureau, Nashville, TN

October 27: Louisiana Chemical Association/Louisiana Chemical Industry Alliance, New Orleans, LA

October 27: Business Roundtable, New Orleans, LA

October 30: Interstate Mining Compact Commission, Washington Court Hotel, DC

November 9: American Chemistry Council, Kiawah Island, SC