FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 17th, 2017
Brooke Havlik, WE ACT for Environmental Justice, 212-961-1000 ext. 320, brooke@weact.org
Washington, D.C — Today, Scott Pruitt was confirmed as Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Pruitt’s record on climate and the environment is of grave concern, especially for low-income residents and communities of color who are disproportionately impacted by environmental injustice and climate change. In response, WE ACT’s Federal Policy Director, Dr. Adrienne Hollis issued the following statement:
“The confirmation of Pruitt as the new Administrator for the Environmental Protection Agency is disappointing and deeply disturbing. WE ACT and other environmental justice organizations have worked for decades to engage with the EPA to address the disparate treatment of environmental justice communities. While serving as Attorney General of Oklahoma, Pruitt aligned with corporate interests that disregarded the health and welfare of not only citizens of Oklahoma, but the nation. His record indicates he lacks awareness or concern for communities impacted by asthma and other environmental health-related issues. He has disregarded the geographical impacts of fracking and environmental contamination, and denied human-driven climate change. These actions indicate he will not be a friend to the environmental justice movement and frontline communities. WE ACT will work in solidarity with our partners throughout the country to push back against future policies that are detrimental to our efforts for environmental equality.”