WASHINGTON, DC - The Subcommittee on Environment, chaired by Rep. John Shimkus (R-IL), today held a hearing with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt regarding the agency’s Fiscal Year 2019 Environmental Protection Agency Budget.
#SubEnvironment Chairman Shimkus welcomed the Administrator to the committee and immediately dug into recent changes at the agency, commenting, “From a policy perspective, and from my seat outside the agency, I am generally pleased with the direction you are taking the EPA… I am especially happy with the reinvigorated Superfund program and in particular, after more than 20 years on the National Priorities List, I’m very glad to see progress finally being made at the West Lake Landfill. Superfund sites are tangible environmental and public health problems that may pose multiple immediate threats."
In his opening statement, full committee Chairman Greg Walden (R-OR) also commended Administrator Pruitt for effective policy efforts at EPA, but noted, “I am concerned that the good progress being made on the policy front is being undercut by allegations about your management of the Agency and use of its resources. These issues are too persistent to ignore, and I know many members are looking for more clarity from you today. You will have ample opportunity today to provide us with any information. Additionally, while there are numerous ongoing investigations into these issues, I want you to commit to providing this Committee with all the same information you provide to the EPA Inspector General and other congressional committees."
EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt pledged to “absolutely" provide the committee with all documents related to ongoing investigations.
Administrator Pruitt testifies before #SubEnvironment
Rep. Pete Olson (R-TX) noted how EPA facilitated cleanup in his district following Hurricane Harvey, by outlining the agency’s responsiveness to burdensome regulations. “On Harvey, I have to publicly thank you for two things: First of all, your EPA helped my home county of Fort Bend break through this whole logjam of regulations to allow us to start dredging our flooded bayous, our flooded waterways quickly and get that stuff taken care of…Also…I want to thank you for all the hard work you did to fast track efforts to use the Superfund to clean up the San Jacinto waste pits…that will be fixed sometime we’d imagine in the next year or so, at the latest."
Chairman Walden also highlighted EPA’s prioritization of Superfund sites, saying, “I want to commend your efforts to reinvigorate the Superfund program, and specifically to accelerate the cleanup of the Willamette River at the Portland Harbor. Even your most liberal detractors applaud your efforts on this critical clean up."
Administrator Pruitt promised to continue to work with Congress to ensure an effective and efficient EPA, saying, “With this budget, we are committed to fulfilling our mission of protecting public health and the environment. With support from our state and local partners, and by working with each of you and your colleagues in Congress, we can make a real difference for communities across America."
The Majority Memorandum, witness testimony, and an archived webcast are available online HERE.
