Press Room

The New Head of the EPA is a Major Threat to Birds and People

In spite of repeated attacks on the agency he now leads, the Senate confirmed Scott Pruitt as EPA Administrator.
By 探花精选
Published February 17, 2017

WASHINGTON鈥擳oday, the Senate voted Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt to be our next administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. In response to this alarming news, the 探花精选 issued the following statement:

"Scott Pruitt is a dangerous and cynical choice to head the EPA. He's a wholly-owned representative of polluters and 探花精选 will be vigilant as Pruitt sets out to dismantle the agency he heads," said David Yarnold  (), 探花精选鈥檚 president and CEO.

鈥淒espite Scott Pruitt鈥檚 reckless disregard for the health of America's kids and birds, 探花精选 knows most Americans support commonsense, science-based solutions and that鈥檚 what we鈥檒l keep fighting for."

EPA safeguards have improved the health of birds and people all across the United States. The Bald Eagle, once on the verge of extinction, began its long flight back to recovery after the EPA banned the pesticide DDT. Other species like Peregrine Falcons and Mallard ducks have also benefited from clean water protections.

础耻诲耻产辞苍鈥檚&苍产蝉辫; shows that 314 species of birds found in North America are at risk because their habitats are shifting and shrinking due to climate change. Scott Pruitt has repeatedly questioned the extent of human contribution to our changing climate and has sided with major corporate polluters over the people and wildlife of Oklahoma. 

Since his nomination in December of last year, 探花精选 has opposed Pruitt for EPA Administrator, a move rarely taken by the organization. In response, more than 31,000 探花精选 members have urged their Senators to reject Scott Pruitt.

To read more about this 鈥渨ell-compensated ventriloquist鈥檚 dummy for energy interests鈥 please check out this detailed look at his record.

The 探花精选 protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow, throughout the Americas using science, advocacy, education and on-the-ground conservation. 探花精选鈥檚 state programs, nature centers, chapters and partners have an unparalleled wingspan that reaches millions of people each year to inform, inspire and unite diverse communities in conservation action. Since 1905, 探花精选鈥檚 vision has been a world in which people and wildlife thrive. 探花精选 is a nonprofit conservation organization. Learn more at  and @audubonsociety.

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Contact: Nicolas Gonzalez, ngonzalez@audubon.org, 212-979-3068.