Yesterday, news broke by the Washington Post and New York Times shows that EPA administrator Scott Pruitt isn’t just friendly with lobbyists like his landlord - in fact, his expensive trips to Morocco and Italy were planned and accompanied by lobbyists Richard Smotkin and Leonard Leo. Here’s what we know so far:
Washington, DC -- Yesterday, 17 states and Washington, DC filed a lawsuit against EPA and Scott Pruitt to block his first step to roll back the clean car standards. The petitioners represent 43-percent of the American auto market and 44 percent of the U.S. population.The petitioners include the majority of states that have adopted California’s stricter standards under Section 177 of the Clean Air Act, as well as non-Section 177 states, which are subject to EPA’s greenhouse gas standards.
Clarkston, Georgia adopts a resolution to transition to 100 percent clean and renewable energy. Clarkston becomes the second city in the state to make this commitment, one year after Atlanta.
Washington, DC -- Today, the Washington Post broke the story that a lobbyist and longtime friend of embattled EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt’s partially arranged his more than $100,000 taxpayer-funded trip to Morocco. The lobbyist who arranged the trip joined Pruitt on the trip.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt designated 51 areas in the United States as out of compliance with the new, stronger smog pollution standard of 70 parts per billion, but omitted important areas that are likely out of compliance based on earlier scientific findings.
RICHMOND, Virginia -- In written comments today to Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt, Governor Northam stated that he would not support the EPA’s revisions to lessen protections for clean water from coal ash pollution. In addition, Virginia’s Department of Environmental Quality made a commitment to maintain the strong safeguards against coal ash pollution in the state, despite potential weakening of federal regulations.
San Juan, Puerto Rico, -- Today, unions and community, education, political, environmental and religious organizations joined together as the United People Against the Sale and Privatization of Services (Pueblo Unido Contra la Venta y Privatización de los Servicios) in a powerful walkout and march through San Juan, to push back against the forces attempting to privatize public services in Puerto Rico in the wake of Hurricanes Maria and Irma. Thousands of people took to the streets of San Juan to send a powerful message to the privatizers: Puerto Rico is not for sale.
DES MOINES, IA -- Last night, the Iowa State Legislature passed a bill that will eliminate energy efficiency programs and reduce regulatory oversight for the state’s electric utilities, which will increase costs for electricity customers and shift risks from the utilities themselves to everyday ratepayers. The bill, Senate File 2311, was contentiously debated and prompted widespread opposition from Iowa families and businesses. Despite broad and vocal opposition from constituents, the bill passed the House with a 52-42 vote on Friday then in the Senate last night. The bill proposes changes that are in direct conflict with the Governor’s State Energy Plan. Opponents are strongly urging Governor Kim Reynolds to veto the bill.
Scott Pruitt lied to Congress about retaliating against EPA staff who tried to ensure his use of taxpayer dollars is transparent, accountable, and justified, according to an ABC News interview with a Trump loyalist forced out at EPA. This news comes as Pruitt’s top political appointees and aides - including the scandal-ridden security chief and the Superfund task force head who was banned from the banking industry - are fleeing the EPA.
A look at SIerra Magazine's latest.