WASHINGTON, D.C. – President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for Environmental Protection Agency administrator said Wednesday he would visit West Virginia to better understand the impact of regulations on the state’s economy
Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt made the commitment to Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., and other members of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works during his confirmation hearing.
“I think it’s very important, if confirmed as administrator, that I spend time responding, learning and listening to you and your respective states in regards to environmental issues that you face,” Pruitt said.
Capito focused her questions on how environmental regulations have negatively impacted West Virginians, particularly those in the coal industry. She also acknowledged West Virginia coal miners who attended the hearing.
Capito said despite numerous attempts to get the Obama administration to understand environmental concerns in West Virginia, little change has happened.
“For the past eight years, the EPA has given no indication at all that it cares about the economic impact of its policies, even though Congress has said very clearly in the Clean Air Act and other environmental statutes that we expect jobs and other economic factors to be taken into account,” Capito said at the hearing.
In a statement after the hearing, Capito said she was happy to hear Pruitt’s commitment to evaluating regulation while continuing to protect the environment.
“I’m confident that Attorney General Pruitt will restore the rule of law at the EPA, and I thank him for his willingness to serve,” Capito said.
Pruitt also said climate change is real, adding there is a debate about how much human activity contributes to change.