Scott Pruitt is promising an aggressive rollback of regulations at the Environmental Protection Agency. NPR takes a look at what he"s likely to target and the challenges he will face.
KELLY MCEVERS, HOST:
Scott Pruitt has been sworn in as the new head of the Environmental Protection Agency. Democrats pushed hard against Pruitt"s nomination and staged an all-night debate last night. They had called him unfit for the job. as oklahoma"s attorney general, pruitt sued the EPA more than a dozen times, and he promises to aggressively roll back what he calls the agency"s activist agenda. NPR"s Nathan Rott is with us now to talk about this. Hey, Nate.
NATHAN ROTT, BYLINE: Hey, Kelly.
MCEVERS: So what is Scott Pruitt likely to do?
ROTT: Well, it"s hard to say with any certainty. There have been hints of budget and staff cuts, but those have mostly come from people in the agency"s transition team so far who don"t speak for Mr. Pruitt himself. In his confirmation hearings, Pruitt did say that he wants to restore balance to the EPA, which can be read a few ways. He believes that the EPA and environmental regulation had been picking winners and losers in the last few years, especially under President Obama, the losers mostly being farmers, ranchers, oil and gas, industry basically. So I think it"s fair to say that he"s going to try to ease regulations for those groups.
I asked that question, though. What can he do to a lot of former EPA officials and administrators? Here"s the answer I got from Tracey Woodruff, a professor at the University of California, San Francisco, who worked at the EPA under Bill Clinton and George W. Bush.
TRACEY WOODRUFF: They could defund certain programs that they don"t like. They could try and identify things that they think are not useful, go after staff that they think are in - working in areas that they don"t agree with.
ROTT: And her list keeps going and going and going, so really there"s a lot of things.
MCEVERS: I mean, so will Pruitt be able to eliminate entire programs at the EPA? I mean, President Trump in the past has even talked about getting rid of the agency altogether.
ROTT: Yeah, he did. And he - I mean, he backed off of that claim later in the campaign, but that"s been a big concern for people. And I think really that"s the question we can answer with the most certainty. It"s very, very unlikely that the Trump administration can or would even want to get rid of the EPA. It"s just too complex of an agency. Here"s Christine Todd Whitman, administrator of the EPA under President George W. Bush.
CHRISTINE TODD WHITMAN: This is an agency that"s established by law. There are a number of pieces of legislation that have been passed to frame it. It"s not something that you can just wave a wand and do away with, nor do we want to.
ROTT: And really the same is true to an extent for a lot of the country"s bigger environmental regulations - the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act. One former administrator of the EPA put it to me this way. Deregulation takes just as much time as regulation. Which is a very D.C. way of saying it takes a really, really long time, possibly years, and there could be complications, like lawsuits.
MCEVERS: There already has been some tension at the EPA since Trump"s inauguration. You reported on a clamp down on communications and concerns about how scientists" work would be vetted. How will Pruitt be received by the agency?
ROTT: I think that"s going to be one of the most interesting things to watch in the coming days and weeks. I mean, you"ve got nearly 800 former EPA employees who signed a letter saying that Pruitt is unfit for the office. You"ve got current employees leaking memos and participating in rallies against him. Christine Todd Whitman, that former administrator we heard from earlier, said that this is unprecedented. She"s never seen this level of animosity between existing staff and an incoming EPA head.
And we could see that flare in the next week. An Oklahoma judge yesterday ruled that Pruitt has to turn over thousands of emails and other documents between himself and fossil fuel companies by next Tuesday. And so if that shows a disregard for science or closer ties to industry, it could get a really big backlash.
MCEVERS: NPR"s Nathan Rott, thank you very much.
ROTT: Thank you, Kelly.
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Trump Picks EPA Critic Scott Pruitt to Head EPA Credit: Getty Images
Donald Trump has officially tapped Scott Pruitt Oklahoma Attorney General, a vocal EPA critic, and climate-change skeptic to lead the Environmental Protection Agency under his administration. With environmental activists already concerned about Trumps voiced resolution to dismantle Obamas climate change regulations via the Clean Power Plan and the Paris Accord, the new hire has most people, well, pretty worried.
Planetary Politics: What Trump Could do to the Environment
Pruitt already has a track record for taking EPA efforts to reduce global warming effects to court: In 2014, he waged a legal fight against Obamas Clean Air Act (which demands that power plants reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, a known cause for global warming). And since 2011, Pruitt also sued the EPA (unsuccessfully) for a variety of regulations ones that would not only help the planet but improve public health, too. These included laws that would control smog pollution across interstate lines, toxic mercury emissions from power plants, and haze in national parks.
So what does Pruitt care about? Pruitts alliance with big energy industry officials to aggressively block Obamas climate change agenda is his most clear environmental policy point.
MORE: What Bill Nye Wishes We All Would Do About Climate Change
Its no surprise, then, that Pruitt also questions human-caused climate change. He has written extensively that the climate debate is far from settled despite the vast majority of climate scientists telling us otherwise and his stance aligns well with that of Trumps. Environmentalists have already voiced concern: Rhea Suh, president of the National Resources Defense Council, tweeted that while the EPAs mission is to safeguard the planet, Pruitt seems destined for the environmental hall of shame. Of course, while his views on climate change are dangerous (science shows the phenomenon is very much real, we cant jump to conclusions about how exactly pruitt will run the epa. it"s safe to say, though, the organization will see significant change in its policies and focus from Obamas administration.
The MiddleGround: Scott Pruitt shares what it means to be Oklahoma"s Attorney General
President-elect Donald Trump has settled on some positions in his Cabinet, as well as other top West Wing roles, while others remain unfilled.
He must choose all his Cabinet members and appointments by his Jan. 20, 2017, inauguration, and he will eventually need to fill about 4,000 positions in the government.
Here"s a look at the people he has selected so far.
Linda McMahon: Administrator of the Small Business Administration
Linda McMahon has been chosen as Trump"s nomination for administrator of the Small Business Administration, transition team officials said on Dec. 7, 2016. McMahon is the co-founder and former CEO of WWE wrestling. She is also the current co-founder and CEO of Women"s Leadership Live LLC, which aims to help women start or expand their own businesses. (Credit: Getty Images / Drew Angerer)
Linda McMahon has been chosen as Trump"s nomination for administrator of the Small Business Administration, transition team officials said on Dec. 7, 2016. McMahon is the co-founder and former CEO of WWE wrestling. She is also the current co-founder and CEO of Women"s Leadership Live LLC, which aims to help women start or expand their own businesses. (Credit: Getty Images / Drew Angerer)
Scott Pruitt: Environmental Protection Agency administrator
Trump intends to select Oklahoma Attorney General scott pruitt to lead the environmental protection Agency, a Trump transition team source said on Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2016. Pruitt and the president-elect met at Trump Tower for the second time on Wednesday. (Credit: Getty Images / Eduardo Munoz Alvarez)
Trump intends to select Oklahoma Attorney General scott pruitt to lead the environmental protection Agency, a Trump transition team source said on Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2016. Pruitt and the president-elect met at Trump Tower for the second time on Wednesday. (Credit: Getty Images / Eduardo Munoz Alvarez)
John Kelly: Secretary of homeland security
Trump plans to nominate retired Marine Gen. John Kelly to lead the Department of Homeland Security, a source familiar with the decision said on Dec. 7, 2016. Kelly is the former head of the U.S. Southern Command and was responsible for the country"s military activities in Latin America and the Caribbean. Kelly, whose son was killed in combat in Afghanistan in 2010, also led troops in western Iraq. (Credit: Getty Images / Norberto Duarte)
Trump plans to nominate retired Marine Gen. John Kelly to lead the Department of Homeland Security, a source familiar with the decision said on Dec. 7, 2016. Kelly is the former head of the U.S. Southern Command and was responsible for the country"s military activities in Latin America and the Caribbean. Kelly, whose son was killed in combat in Afghanistan in 2010, also led troops in western Iraq. (Credit: Getty Images / Norberto Duarte)
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Terry Branstad: Ambassador to China
Trump will nominate Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad as the next U.S. ambassador to China, a transition official said on Dec. 7, 2016. Brandstad called Chinese President Xi Jinping a "longtime friend" when Xi visited Iowa in February 2012, and Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang called Branstad an "old friend" of China when asked about a report on the appointment. Because of Branstad"s relationship with China, his appointment may show a willingness of Trump to ease trade tensions between the United States and China. (Credit: Getty Images / Scott Olson)
Trump will nominate Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad as the next U.S. ambassador to China, a transition official said on Dec. 7, 2016. Brandstad called Chinese President Xi Jinping a "longtime friend" when Xi visited Iowa in February 2012, and Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang called Branstad an "old friend" of China when asked about a report on the appointment. Because of Branstad"s relationship with China, his appointment may show a willingness of Trump to ease trade tensions between the United States and China. (Credit: Getty Images / Scott Olson)
Ben Carson: Secretary of housing and urban development
Former Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson was nominated to be secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Trump"s transition team announced on Dec. 5, 2016. After Carson dropped out of the presidential race in early March, he put his support behind Trump, despite criticism of him in the past. Carson is a retired neurosurgeon who has never held political office before. Trump had discussed the job with Carson before Thanksgiving, but -- despite his own presidential run -- Carson indicated reluctance to take a position in the incoming administration because of his lack of experience in federal government. (Credit: Getty Images / Drew Angerer)
Former Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson was nominated to be secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Trump"s transition team announced on Dec. 5, 2016. After Carson dropped out of the presidential race in early March, he put his support behind Trump, despite criticism of him in the past. Carson is a retired neurosurgeon who has never held political office before. Trump had discussed the job with Carson before Thanksgiving, but -- despite his own presidential run -- Carson indicated reluctance to take a position in the incoming administration because of his lack of experience in federal government. (Credit: Getty Images / Drew Angerer)
James Mattis: Defense secretary
Donald Trump has nominated retired Marine Corps Gen. James Mattis for defense secretary, his transition team said on Dec. 6, 2016. Mattis, known as "Mad Dog," is renowned for his tough talk and battlefield experience in Iraq and Afghanistan. He is also a revered figure in the Marine Corps and is known for his distrust of Iran. (Credit: Getty Images / Drew Angerer)
Donald Trump has nominated retired Marine Corps Gen. James Mattis for defense secretary, his transition team said on Dec. 6, 2016. Mattis, known as "Mad Dog," is renowned for his tough talk and battlefield experience in Iraq and Afghanistan. He is also a revered figure in the Marine Corps and is known for his distrust of Iran. (Credit: Getty Images / Drew Angerer)
Steven Mnuchin: Treasury secretary
Trump announced his nomination of Steven Mnuchin as Treasury secretary on Nov. 30, 2016. Mnuchin worked at Goldman Sachs for 17 years before launching his own hedge fund, the Dune Capital Management. He has invested in Hollywood movies, including "Avatar," "Mad Max: Fury Road" and "Suicide Squad." He also served as Trump"s presidential campaign finance chairman. (Credit: AFP / Getty Images / Eduardo Munoz Alvarez)
Trump announced his nomination of Steven Mnuchin as Treasury secretary on Nov. 30, 2016. Mnuchin worked at Goldman Sachs for 17 years before launching his own hedge fund, the Dune Capital Management. He has invested in Hollywood movies, including "Avatar," "Mad Max: Fury Road" and "Suicide Squad." He also served as Trump"s presidential campaign finance chairman. (Credit: AFP / Getty Images / Eduardo Munoz Alvarez)
Wilbur Ross: Secretary of commerce
Wilbur Ross was nominated to be the secretary of the Department of Commerce, the transition team announced on Nov. 30, 2016. Ross is an investor and businessman who was the head of investment banking company Rothschild Inc. for 25 years. Ross is worth $2.5 billion, according to Forbes Magazine. He also served as an economic policy adviser to Trump during his campaign. (Credit: Getty Images / Drew Angerer)
Wilbur Ross was nominated to be the secretary of the Department of Commerce, the transition team announced on Nov. 30, 2016. Ross is an investor and businessman who was the head of investment banking company Rothschild Inc. for 25 years. Ross is worth $2.5 billion, according to Forbes Magazine. He also served as an economic policy adviser to Trump during his campaign. (Credit: Getty Images / Drew Angerer)
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Todd Ricketts: Deputy secretary of commerce
Todd Ricketts, the co-owner of the Chicago Cubs, was nominated to be the deputy secretary of commerce, the transition team announced on Nov. 30, 2016. Ricketts" family reportedly donated money to the Ours Principles PAC, which had a goal of defeating Trump, during the Republican primaries. Trump called them out on Twitter in February, saying "I hear the Rickets family, who own the Chicago Cubs, are secretly spending $"s against me. They better be careful, they have a lot to hide!" Todd Ricketts became a Trump ally later in the campaign. (Credit: Getty Images / Drew Angerer)
Todd Ricketts, the co-owner of the Chicago Cubs, was nominated to be the deputy secretary of commerce, the transition team announced on Nov. 30, 2016. Ricketts" family reportedly donated money to the Ours Principles PAC, which had a goal of defeating Trump, during the Republican primaries. Trump called them out on Twitter in February, saying "I hear the Rickets family, who own the Chicago Cubs, are secretly spending $"s against me. They better be careful, they have a lot to hide!" Todd Ricketts became a Trump ally later in the campaign. (Credit: Getty Images / Drew Angerer)
Elaine Chao: Transportation secretary
Trump has named Elaine Chao as his transportation secretary, transition team officials said on Nov. 29, 2016. Chao previously served as the labor secretary under former President George W. Bush. She was the first Asian-American woman to hold a Cabinet position. Chao is also married to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. (Credit: Getty Images / Jim Watson)
Trump has named Elaine Chao as his transportation secretary, transition team officials said on Nov. 29, 2016. Chao previously served as the labor secretary under former President George W. Bush. She was the first Asian-American woman to hold a Cabinet position. Chao is also married to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. (Credit: Getty Images / Jim Watson)
Tom Price: Secretary of health and human services
Georgia Rep. Tom Price has been chosen to be the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, Trump"s transition team announced Nov. 29, 2016. Price worked as an orthopedic surgeon before entering politics. He has been a vocal critic of the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare. "Under Obamacare, the American people are paying more for health care and getting less - less access, less quality, and fewer choices," he said in a statement after introducing legislation to repeal Obamacare in May. (Credit: Getty Images / Alex Wong)
Georgia Rep. Tom Price has been chosen to be the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, Trump"s transition team announced Nov. 29, 2016. Price worked as an orthopedic surgeon before entering politics. He has been a vocal critic of the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare. "Under Obamacare, the American people are paying more for health care and getting less - less access, less quality, and fewer choices," he said in a statement after introducing legislation to repeal Obamacare in May. (Credit: Getty Images / Alex Wong)
Seema Verma: Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
Seema Verma was selected to be the administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, an agency that oversees government health programs and insurance standards, the Trump transition team said Nov. 29, 2016. Verma is the president, CEO and founder of SVC Inc., a health care policy consulting company. Verma previously worked with Vice President-elect Mike Pence in Indiana to expand Medicaid coverage for the state"s poor using federal funding. (Credit: Getty Images / Drew Angerer)
Seema Verma was selected to be the administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, an agency that oversees government health programs and insurance standards, the Trump transition team said Nov. 29, 2016. Verma is the president, CEO and founder of SVC Inc., a health care policy consulting company. Verma previously worked with Vice President-elect Mike Pence in Indiana to expand Medicaid coverage for the state"s poor using federal funding. (Credit: Getty Images / Drew Angerer)
Don McGahn: White House counsel
Trump named attorney Donald McGahn his White House counsel, a senior transition official said on Nov. 25, 2016. A partner at law firm Jones Day and former chairman of the Federal Election Commission, McGahn served as counsel to Trump during his presidential campaign. He has also previously served as counsel to the National Republican Congressional Committee, which oversees campaigns for the House of Representatives. The White House Counsel"s office advises the president on the legality of proposed executive orders and legislation passed by Congress and vets potential administration appointees. (Credit: Getty Images / Drew Angerer)
Trump named attorney Donald McGahn his White House counsel, a senior transition official said on Nov. 25, 2016. A partner at law firm Jones Day and former chairman of the Federal Election Commission, McGahn served as counsel to Trump during his presidential campaign. He has also previously served as counsel to the National Republican Congressional Committee, which oversees campaigns for the House of Representatives. The White House Counsel"s office advises the president on the legality of proposed executive orders and legislation passed by Congress and vets potential administration appointees. (Credit: Getty Images / Drew Angerer)
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K.T. McFarland: Deputy national security adviser
Kathleen Troia "K.T." McFarland, left, will work alongside Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, Trump"s national security adviser pick. McFarland served as an aide to Henry Kissinger in the 1970s and served in three Republican administrations. McFarland is also a national security analyst for Fox News. (Credit: Getty Images / Eugene Gologursky)
Kathleen Troia "K.T." McFarland, left, will work alongside Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, Trump"s national security adviser pick. McFarland served as an aide to Henry Kissinger in the 1970s and served in three Republican administrations. McFarland is also a national security analyst for Fox News. (Credit: Getty Images / Eugene Gologursky)
Betsy DeVos: Secretary of the Dept. of Education
Betsy DeVos has been selected as Trump"s nomination for secretary of the Department of Education, transition officials said. The decision comes after DeVos met with the president-elect at the Trump International Golf Club in Bedminster Township, New Jersey, on Nov. 19, 2016. Among several other organizations she works with, DeVos, of Michigan, is chairman of the American Federation for Children. The nonprofit organization advocates for school choice reforms, focusing on a parent"s right to choose which school their child attends through scholarship tax credit programs, education savings accounts and school vouchers. (Credit: Getty Images / Drew Angerer)
Betsy DeVos has been selected as Trump"s nomination for secretary of the Department of Education, transition officials said. The decision comes after DeVos met with the president-elect at the Trump International Golf Club in Bedminster Township, New Jersey, on Nov. 19, 2016. Among several other organizations she works with, DeVos, of Michigan, is chairman of the American Federation for Children. The nonprofit organization advocates for school choice reforms, focusing on a parent"s right to choose which school their child attends through scholarship tax credit programs, education savings accounts and school vouchers. (Credit: Getty Images / Drew Angerer)
Nikki Haley: U.S. ambassador to the United Nations
South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley was selected to be the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. She has been the governor of South Carolina since 2011, but has little international experience. Haley had previously supported Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio in the Republican primaries, and she criticized Trump for his harsh rhetoric about immigration and for not speaking forcefully enough against white supremacists. In the rebuttal to President Obama"s State of the Union address in January, Haley, the daughter of Indian immigrants, appeared to allude to Trump. "During anxious times, it can be tempting to follow the siren call of the angriest voices," she said. "We must resist that temptation." (Credit: Getty Images / Jim Watson)
South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley was selected to be the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. She has been the governor of South Carolina since 2011, but has little international experience. Haley had previously supported Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio in the Republican primaries, and she criticized Trump for his harsh rhetoric about immigration and for not speaking forcefully enough against white supremacists. In the rebuttal to President Obama"s State of the Union address in January, Haley, the daughter of Indian immigrants, appeared to allude to Trump. "During anxious times, it can be tempting to follow the siren call of the angriest voices," she said. "We must resist that temptation." (Credit: Getty Images / Jim Watson)
Mike Pompeo: CIA director
Kansas Rep. Mike Pompeo was selected to be Trump"s CIA director, transition officials said. Pompeo graduated first in his class from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and served as an active-duty cavalry officer in the U.S Army. He also has a joint degree from Harvard Law School. A member of the House of Representatives Intelligence Committee, Pompeo, 52, was first elected in the 2010 tea party wave from the congressional district centered on his hometown of Wichita. Pompeo is also a vocal critic of Hillary Clinton"s use of a private email server as secretary of state and her handling of the 2012 attacks on U.S. posts in Benghazi, Libya. (Credit: Getty Images / Win McNamee)
Kansas Rep. Mike Pompeo was selected to be Trump"s CIA director, transition officials said. Pompeo graduated first in his class from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and served as an active-duty cavalry officer in the U.S Army. He also has a joint degree from Harvard Law School. A member of the House of Representatives Intelligence Committee, Pompeo, 52, was first elected in the 2010 tea party wave from the congressional district centered on his hometown of Wichita. Pompeo is also a vocal critic of Hillary Clinton"s use of a private email server as secretary of state and her handling of the 2012 attacks on U.S. posts in Benghazi, Libya. (Credit: Getty Images / Win McNamee)
Jeff Sessions: Attorney general
Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions has been selected to be the U.S. attorney general, transition officials said. Sessions served as the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Alabama and Alabama attorney general before being elected to the U.S. Senate in 1996. Trump"s selection of Sessions angered civil rights activists, particularly over his stance on immigration. (Credit: Getty Images / Alex Wong)
Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions has been selected to be the U.S. attorney general, transition officials said. Sessions served as the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Alabama and Alabama attorney general before being elected to the U.S. Senate in 1996. Trump"s selection of Sessions angered civil rights activists, particularly over his stance on immigration. (Credit: Getty Images / Alex Wong)
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Michael Flynn: National security adviser
Retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn will serve as Trump"s national security adviser, transition officials said. Flynn is a former director of the Defense Intelligence Agency. He was also an adviser to Trump on national security issues during his campaign. (Credit: Getty Images / Alex Wong)
Retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn will serve as Trump"s national security adviser, transition officials said. Flynn is a former director of the Defense Intelligence Agency. He was also an adviser to Trump on national security issues during his campaign. (Credit: Getty Images / Alex Wong)
Steve Bannon: Chief strategist and counselor
Former head of the website Breitbart News Steve Bannon was selected to be Trump"s chief strategist and counselor. The Virginia native served as a Navy officer for seven years and worked as the chief of naval operations at the Pentagon under President Ronald Reagan, but otherwise has no political experience beyond Trump"s presidential campaign. One of the president-elect"s more controversial appointments, critics have accused Bannon of being an anti-Semite. (Credit: Getty Images / Drew Angerer)
Former head of the website Breitbart News Steve Bannon was selected to be Trump"s chief strategist and counselor. The Virginia native served as a Navy officer for seven years and worked as the chief of naval operations at the Pentagon under President Ronald Reagan, but otherwise has no political experience beyond Trump"s presidential campaign. One of the president-elect"s more controversial appointments, critics have accused Bannon of being an anti-Semite. (Credit: Getty Images / Drew Angerer)
Reince Priebus: Chief of staff
Republican National Committee chairman Reince Priebus will be Trump"s chief of staff. Born in New Jersey and raised in Wisconsin, Priebus was the RNC"s Wisconsin state party chairman before winning the RNC chairman position in 2011. The choice of Priebus was seen as a conciliatory signal of Trump"s willingness to work with Congress after he takes office on Jan. 20. (Credit: Getty Images / Alex Wong)
Republican National Committee chairman Reince Priebus will be Trump"s chief of staff. Born in New Jersey and raised in Wisconsin, Priebus was the RNC"s Wisconsin state party chairman before winning the RNC chairman position in 2011. The choice of Priebus was seen as a conciliatory signal of Trump"s willingness to work with Congress after he takes office on Jan. 20. (Credit: Getty Images / Alex Wong)
