Research Cited

Trump’s EPA Pick Is Poised to Slide Past a Lawsuit Into Office

Source: The Atlantic | Published: 2/15/2017

Between January 2015 and last month, the Center for Media and Democracy, a liberal watchdog organization, submitted nine public record requests to the Oklahoma attorney general’s office. This week, it finally received a reply to its first request, filed more than two years ago: a set of 411 emails exchanged between Pruitt and local oil companies. That sounds like a lot—except that the attorney general’s office had initially said more than 3,000 emails were coming.

Senators Weigh In on Court Case Seeking Release of Critical Documents on Pruitt Ties to Fossil Fuel Industry

Climate, Environment, Trump

Source: U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse | Published: 2/15/2017

Today, a group of Senators weighed in with an Oklahoma court on a legal action seeking to require the Office of the Oklahoma Attorney General to release documents relating to Environmental Protection Agency Administrator nominee Scott Pruitt’s connections to the fossil fuel industry. The Senators, all members of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, had requested the information from Pruitt during his confirmation process. Rather than divulge it, Pruitt referred the Senators to his own office’s process for requesting documents under Oklahoma’s Open Records Act—a process that can take months, or even years, to complete.

Senate Dems Request Delay in Pruitt Vote

Climate, Democracy, Environment, Trump

Source: News 9 | Published: 2/15/2017

Senate Democrats want to delay a vote on Oklahoma attorney general Scott Pruitt as Environmental Protection Agency nominee due to a pending court case regarding Pruitt’s email records.

Financial Backers of EPA Pick Scott Pruitt Have Faced Hundreds of Pollution Actions

Environment, Trump

Source: The Intercept | Published: 2/14/2017

At least 15 companies with financial ties to Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt, Donald Trump’s nominee to run the Environmental Protection Agency, have faced hundreds of EPA enforcement actions, which are the basic tool the agency uses to enforce environmental rules and laws.

Senate Dems Want Pruitt Vote Delayed over Emails

Democracy, Environment, Trump

Source: The Hill | Published: 2/14/2017

Senate Democrats want to delay a vote on President Trump’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) nominee due to a pending court case regarding email records.

Republicans Want The EPA To Investigate Employees Using Encryption

Democracy

Source: BuzzFeed | Published: 2/14/2017

Two Republicans in Congress called Tuesday for the EPA’s Inspector General to investigate the use of encrypted messages by agency officials.

EPW Democrats to McConnell: Emergency Hearing in Oklahoma Compels Senate to Postpone Pruitt Vote

Democracy, Environment

Source: U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works | Published: 2/14/2017

Oklahoma District Court calls for expedited release of information denied to senators during Attorney General Pruitt’s confirmation.

Senate Democrats Urge Delay On Pruitt Nomination Pending Court Hearing

Democracy, Environment

Source: Inside EPA | Published: 2/14/2017

Senate environment panel Democrats are urging GOP leadership to delay an imminent floor vote on Oklahoma Attorney General (AG) Scott Pruitt’s nomination to be the next EPA administrator, saying senators should wait until after an Oklahoma court holds an “emergency” hearing on a suit seeking documents from his tenure as AG.

Democrats Use Emergency Court Action to Slow Pruitt Confirmation

Democracy, Environment

Source: Washington Examiner | Published: 2/14/2017

Democrats are using a court order in the hopes of blocking a floor vote later this week on President Trump’s pick to lead the Environmental Protection Agency, Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt.

Senate Should Postpone Pruitt Vote Until Review of Industry Emails

Democracy, Environment

Source: Environmental Working Group | Published: 2/14/2017

EWG joined several members of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee in urging Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to postpone a vote on Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt’s confirmation to be Environmental Protection Agency administrator. The request comes as an Oklahoma court has scheduled a hearing for later this week over a lawsuit filed by the Center for Media and Democracy, which seeks disclosure of email communications between Pruitt’s office and oil and gas industry officials.