Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt may not seem the most obvious choice to lead the Environmental Protection Agency. He is a lawyer by training, not an environmental specialist, from a state whose economy relies heavily on oil and gas production. His rise to national prominence was fueled in part by his opposition to the EPA's activities and his lawsuits against it. But he is exactly what the agency needs.
In recent years, the EPA has fundamentally misunderstood its role. Under President Barack Obama, it saw itself as protector of the nation's environment, which is not quite correct. Yes, the EPA is responsible for environmental protection – its name says so. But, more specifically, it is responsible for enforcing the nation's environmental laws.
Read Full Article »