Scott Pruitt Confirmed as EPA Administrator: Major Threat to Clean Water and Rivers
February 17, 2017
Contact: Amy Kober, 503-708-1145
Washington, DC – The Senate today confirmed Scott Pruitt as the next Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, despite Pruitt’s long record of undermining the EPA’s efforts to protect clean water and clean air, and the recent controversy surrounding thousands of emails with oil, gas and coal companies that an Oklahoma court concluded were improperly withheld.
Bob Irvin, President of American Rivers, made the following statement:
“The confirmation of Scott Pruitt is a bitter blow for everyone who values clean drinking water and healthy rivers. As Oklahoma Attorney General he has a track record of prioritizing the interests of polluters over people.”
“It’s hard to imagine a more troubling choice for EPA Administrator than Scott Pruitt. Rather than be a guardian of the environment, as EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt poses a serious threat to clean drinking water supplies for millions of Americans, and the health of the nation’s nearly three million miles of rivers.”
“By rushing the vote and not allowing Senators and the public to review Pruitt’s many email exchanges with the oil and gas industry he will regulate, the Senate failed in its duty to protect the health of all Americans.”
“Clean water and healthy rivers are essential to the health of our families and communities, our economy and quality of life. As the nation’s voice for rivers, American Rivers will be unyielding in fighting rollbacks and standing up for clean water and the rivers on which we and future generations depend.”
ABOUT AMERICAN RIVERS
American Rivers protects wild rivers, restores damaged rivers and conserves clean water for people and nature. Since 1973, American Rivers has protected and restored more than 150,000 miles of rivers through advocacy efforts, on-the-ground projects and an annual America’s Most Endangered Rivers® campaign. Headquartered in Washington, DC, American Rivers has offices across the country and more than 250,000 members, supporters and volunteers.
Rivers connect us to each other, nature, and future generations. Find your connections at AmericanRivers.org, Facebook.com/AmericanRivers and Twitter.com/AmericanRivers.