RISE Stronger calls on Senators to oppose the nomination of Scott Pruitt for EPA Administrator as his values and priorities are in direct opposition to the core mission of the EPA. Pruitt, the Oklahoma Attorney General, presents a grave threat to the power of the Environmental Protection Agency and the progress it has made to safeguard clean air and water and fight climate change. Pruitt has challenged many EPA policies and has proven ties to fossil fuel interests.Pruitt led the charge to block President Obama's regulatory agenda, filing suit against several EPA regulations, notably the Clean Power Plan (to reduce carbon emissions), Waters of the United States (to protect vulnerable waterways), and Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (to protect air quality). Pruitt made weakening of EPA authority a goal of his career.

Pruitt is personally and financially tied to the oil and gas industry. While Pruitt claims to support clean energy because of Oklahoma's wind capacity, the Attorney General did not respond when Oklahoma was forced to regulate fracking in response to devastating earthquakes linked to the practice. Harold Hamm—Oklahoma native, fracking magnate, and Trump energy advisor—was Pruitt's campaign manager for his 2013 and 2014 re-election campaigns. Since 2002, Pruitt has received nearly $300,000 in contributions from the oil and gas industry, has been linked to several energy-funded super PACs, and led a nonprofit group that accepted donations from the Koch family. In 2011, Pruitt sent a letter to the EPA criticizing an air pollution rule, which turned out to be written almost verbatim by one of Oklahoma's oil and gas lobbyists. Pruitt's relationship with the fossil fuel industry is at odds with the EPA's mission to protect human health and the environment.

The scientific consensus on climate change is clear, yet Pruitt has falsely claimed, "Scientists continue to disagree about the degree and extent of global warming and its connection to the actions of mankind." Sowing doubt in the scientific consensus on climate change is a danger to both the scientific method and the future of the planet. Pruitt may use his knowledge of constitutional law and anti-environmental rhetoric, as well as the power of a potentially conservative-leaning Supreme Court, to influence the interpretation of EPA's legal powers. More immediately, Pruitt could halt existing legal proceedings, including litigation of the Clean Power Plan.

The Senate needs to thoroughly investigate Pruitt's views on climate change and other environmental issues and his financial ties to industries he would regulate. Senators should consider asking pressing questions, such as below:

• Climate change is undeniable and EPA writes science-based rules. Why do you believe the science is unclear and what will you do to work with EPA scientists who do not agree with you?
• You have received money and advice from the oil and gas industry during your time as a public servant. How will you manage your relationship with the industry you are about to regulate?
• What specific environmental issues concern you most? How do you plan to address them?

RISE Stronger is working to become the largest citizen watchdog organization in the United States with the mission of monitoring and responding to the Trump Administration, Congress, and state and local governments. We are a movement of 30,000 citizens who want to step up and be a check on our government and hold our public servants accountable. For more information or to join us, please visit www.risestronger.org or connect with us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RISEStronger.org