"President-elect Donald J. Trump today announced his intent to nominate Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt to serve as the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, a cabinet-level position," the release stated.
It emphasized Pruitt’s background in constitutional law and said he understands how EPA regulations affect both the environment and the US economy.
"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," Trump is quoted as saying in the release. He added that Pruitt will restore the EPA's essential mission of keeping the air and water safe.
Environmental groups on Wednesday sharply criticized Trump’s expected selection of Pruitt, saying his anti-EPA litigation and rejection of the scientific consensus about climate change make him unfit to serve as the agency’s administrator.