Earthjustice: EPA Must Withdraw Clean Power Plan Repeal Proposal Which is Tainted by Scott Pruitt’s Involvement

Pruitt’s mind is made up against the plan, so the public can’t count on him to give fair consideration

Contacts

Abigail Dillen, Vice President of Litigation for Climate & Energy, Earthjustice, (415) 217-2000, ext. 2169

,

David Baron, Managing Attorney, Earthjustice, (202) 745-5203

,

Howard Fox, Attorney, Earthjustice, (202) 841-6656

Earthjustice joined with other groups in calling upon the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to withdraw its proposal to repeal the Clean Power Plan, the first-ever federal limits on carbon pollution from our nation’s electric power plants, because the proposal reflects the improper involvement of Administrator Scott Pruitt. A similar request was made January 9 by a coalition of state and local governments.

Pruitt has been leading EPA’s effort, announced in October, to repeal the Plan. But according to today’s request, Pruitt’s public statements and conduct show his mind is made up already, so that he cannot be a fair decision maker.

The following is a statement from Earthjustice President Trip Van Noppen on today’s news:

“Scott Pruitt has spent years relentlessly attacking the Clean Power Plan at every opportunity, with intemperate public rhetoric and with lawsuits. It would be sheer fantasy to think he will all of a sudden make a sharp U-turn and give the Plan a fair hearing.

“Too much is at stake to settle for anything other than a fair decision maker. The Clean Power Plan is of key importance to—and is supported by—millions of Americans. It will make big cuts in the carbon pollution that is driving climate change, and will also cut other pollution, saving thousands of lives each year and preventing tens of thousands of asthma attacks.”

Read the comments submitted today.

A child plays near the Cheswick coal-fired power plant in Pennsylvania. Burning coal is a major cause of climate change and releases toxic pollution that threatens our air and water.
A child plays near the Cheswick coal-fired power plant in Pennsylvania. Burning coal is a major cause of climate change and releases toxic pollution that threatens our air and water. (Chris Jordan-Bloch / Earthjustice)

Additional Resources

About Earthjustice

Earthjustice is the premier nonprofit environmental law organization. We wield the power of law and the strength of partnership to protect people's health, to preserve magnificent places and wildlife, to advance clean energy, and to combat climate change. We are here because the earth needs a good lawyer.