Congressman Alan Lowenthal (CA-47) today issued the following statement on the selection by President-elect Trump of Scott Pruitt to head the Environmental Protection Agency:

“Now, more than ever, Americans understand that the consequences for our families will be severe if the Environmental Protection Agency walks away from its role of upholding our fundamental U.S. environmental laws that protect the health and safety of our communities. 

“This is why I oppose the appointment of Scott Pruitt as EPA administrator.

“Now is not the time to put a climate denier who has a history of using his political office to promote polluters’ special interests in charge of the EPA.

 “I sincerely hope that Mr. Pruitt will defend and protect the health and safety of all Americans through his work at the EPA.

“However, if he disregards the mission of the agency and tries to weaken environmental protections, I will fight, alongside my colleagues, to hold him and the EPA accountable. 

“We must continue to make progress in cleaning up our communities, protecting public health, and seizing new opportunities for a clean energy future. “