Scott Pruitt resigns as head of US environment agency

He is the subject of a number of investigations regarding the spending he oversaw at the agency

Scott Pruitt’s EPA outlines energy reforms

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has said there are multiple ways to protect the environment and safeguard public health while pursuing economic growth and energy independence. In a new report, Administrator Scott Pruitt identifies a number of key initiatives to advance these goals and reduce “unnecessary regulatory burdens” on the development and use of […]

US proposes to repeal Clean Power Plan

The US Government is proposing to repeal the Barack Obama-era Clean Power Plan (CPP) aimed at curbing greenhouse gas emissions from power plants. Scott Pruitt, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to scrap the Plan yesterday. The CPP requires states to meet specific emission reduction standards based on their […]

New scheme to engage firms for better green outcomes

A partnership programme to engage US businesses to achieve better environmental outcomes has been launched. The collaborative approach in the ‘Smart Sectors’ scheme is expected to provide a “significant opportunity” for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to consider more forward-thinking ways to protect the environment. It will include educational site tours, roundtables with EPA leadership, […]

US fuel standard rollbacks open for consultation

Donald Trump and Scott Pruitt, Chief of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), have begun the process of weakening fuel standards for cars and light trucks in the US. The Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) rules are regulations intended to improve the average fuel economy of these popular types of vehicle and were originally introduced in […]

US climate chief reverses emission-cuts delay

Scott Pruitt, Chief of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), has reversed the decision to delay implementing emissions reduction rules. The laws, which were set in motion during the Obama Administration, aim to reduce the amount of ground-level ozone – this is created when emissions from cars, power plants and other sources react with sunlight […]

US court blocks Trump’s rollback of methane rules

A US appeals court has rebuked the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for suspending methane emissions regulations while it reviewed the rule. Earlier this year, EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt said he would delay the deadline by 90 days for oil and gas companies to follow the new rule so the agency could reconsider the measure. A […]

‘War on coal is over’, says US environment agency head

The head of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) met with coal state lawmakers this week, reassuring them the “war on coal is over”. EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt also highlighted the changes made by the department since President Donald Trump took office as he spoke to members of the Congressional Coal Caucus. That includes calling […]

US invests $1bn in water infrastructure projects

The US Environment Protection Agency (EPA) is providing $1 billion (£0.77bn) for water infrastructure projects. Its Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) received 43 letters of interest from prospective borrowers for projects to update the nation’s infrastructure. The loans will support more than $2 billion (£1.5bn) worth of projects, which includes drinking water treatment, […]

Carbon Dioxide ‘not main cause of climate change’

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) chief has said Carbon Dioxide isn’t the main cause of climate change. Scott Pruitt, told broadcaster CNBC that measuring human impact on the climate was “very challenging” and there was “tremendous disagreement” about the issue. He said debate surrounding global warming needs to continue, despite these remarks contradicting the findings on greenhouse gas emissions […]