Tipsheet

Confirmed: Trump Taps Scott Pruitt as EPA Director

As Jason covered on Wednesday, Oklahoma attorney general Scott Pruitt was reportedly chosen to head up the Environmental Protection Agency.

President-elect Trump made the official announcement Thursday morning.

"For too long, the Environmental Protection Agency has spent taxpayer dollars on an out-of-control anti-energy agenda that has destroyed millions of jobs, while also undermining our incredible farmers and many other businesses and industries at every turn. As my EPA Administrator, Scott Pruitt, the highly respected Attorney General from the state of Oklahoma, will reverse this trend and restore the EPA's essential mission of keeping our air and our water clean and safe," said President-elect Donald Trump. "My administration strongly believes in environmental protection, and Scott Pruitt will be a powerful advocate for that mission while promoting jobs, safety and opportunity."

Pruitt said he was "deeply grateful and honored" to be chosen as Trump's EPA pick. 

“The American people are tired of seeing billions of dollars drained from our economy due to unnecessary EPA regulations, and I intend to run this agency in a way that fosters both responsible protection of the environment and freedom for American businesses,” he said in the statement. 

This post has been updated.