Government Energy Policy, Business and Technology

EPA Chief Promises Democratic Senators Some Missing Answers

Government Executive: Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt emerged from a Senate hearing on Tuesday with garlands of praise from Republicans but some unfinished business with skeptical Democrats.

Pruitt’s first appearance before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee since his confirmation was characterized as long overdue by ranking member Sen. Tom Carper, D-Del. Carper noted pointedly that Pruitt’s predecessor, Gina McCarthy, appeared before the committee six times in two years, while her predecessor Lisa Jackson appeared 14 times in six years. “You can do better on this front, and it’s important that you do,” Carper said before firing off a series of “yes or no” questions about EPA’s handling of the Clean Power Plan, Superfund and climate change. He asked Pruitt to avoid “the usual platitudes.”

When Carper pressed for a long-delayed EPA response to state petitions on cross-state pollution, Pruitt agreed to provide one within 30 days.

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