SACRAMENTO – California Senate President Kevin de León (D-Los Angeles) issued the following statement reacting to the Wednesday January 18th U.S. Senate confirmation hearing for the nominee to lead the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency:
Scott Pruitt, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Environmental Protection Agency, today threatened to roll back 50 years of California clean air policies by refusing to commit to keeping federal waivers that allow our state to enact its own regulations on climate and vehicular emissions.
If he is confirmed, and decides to endanger our innovative economy, jobs, and most importantly, the air 40 million people breathe, he will be met with full resistance up and down the state. Mr. Pruitt should find value in the fact we have grown our economy while reducing carbon emissions. In his new role, he should transition from being an ally of the fossil industry into an ally of the environment and of people who already suffer from the worst asthma rates in the country.
California will continue to lead the world in addressing climate change and advancing clean energy regardless of who is in the White House or at the EPA. Mr. Pruitt should get used to that and not try to impose his Oklahoma views on the Golden State.
#ActOnClimate
