EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt's Objectives in his New Role

EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt's Objectives in his New Role

At last week's American Farm Bureau Federation's Legislative Advocacy event, EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt shared his goals for the agency. He says the agency must work within its authority, not beyond.

Pruitt: "I think when you do rule making — whether it is in Clean Air or clean water — we have to keep something in mind. We only have the authority that Congress has given this agency. Sometimes I think rule making is considered by some to be super-legislative or that agencies some how have discretionary authority that allows them to reimagine their authority in the statutes."

Pruitt says it's time for the EPA and other agencies to follow the rules when it comes to creating regulations.

Pruitt: "You've seen agencies across the federal government using for instance guidance as a form of rule making. Guidance is suppose to do what? It is suppose to give you guidance with respect to rules that already in existence. There are certain requirements that you have to go through when you are introducing rules and adopting rules. You have purpose a rule; take notice and comment; respond to that notice and comment on the record; finalize that rule. So what agencies have done unfortunately is by-pass that entire process by saying, 'You know what, we are going to issue some guidance in this area and it is really a substantive rule.'"

By following the rule-making process, he says it allows federal agencies to work with the people the rule affects. By listening to the people and addressing their issues.

Pruitt: "We don't have all the answers here. And when agencies pass rules, they need to know how it impacts people in all the states across the county. They need to hear from those people and then respond to those folks."

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