Embattled EPA chief's calendar shows industry had his ear
Source: Reuters
ENVIRONMENT APRIL 6, 2018 / 1:19 PM / UPDATED AN HOUR AGO
Embattled EPA chief's calendar shows industry had his ear
Timothy Gardner, Richard Valdmanis
5 MIN READ
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency head Scott Pruitt held 25-times more meetings with industry representatives than environmental advocates during his first seven months in office, according to a Reuters analysis of his schedule, reflecting the agency’s pro-business approach under his tenure.
The newly released records, obtained by the Environmental Integrity Project watchdog group through a Freedom of Information Act request, come as the White House probes ethics allegations against Pruitt. These include his rental of a room in a Washington D.C. condo owned by the wife of an energy industry lobbyist.
Pruitt, a vocal doubter of mainstream climate change science, has also faced criticism for frequent first-class air travel, spending on costly items in his office, including a $43,000 soundproof telephone booth, and for a trip to Morocco where he promoted U.S. exports of liquefied natural gas – something outside the remit of an environmental regulator.
President Donald Trump has praised Pruitt’s work at the EPA for aggressively pursuing his agenda to roll back regulations he sees as unnecessary to pave the way for more oil, gas, and coal production and remove hurdles for a revival in domestic manufacturing.
Trump on Thursday said Pruitt was doing a “fantastic job” and was well-loved in “coal and energy country.”
-snip-
Read more: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-epa-pruitt-industry/embattled-epa-chiefs-calendar-shows-industry-had-his-ear-idUSKCN1HD2G0