AG Pruitt to testify on EPA

Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt will testify this morning before a Congressional committee to discuss recent actions by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, including questionable practices surrounding regional haze lawsuits in multiple states.

The testimony will be at 8 a.m. CDT in front of the Subcommittee on Technology, Information Policy, Intergovernmental Relations and Procurement Reform of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. U.S. Rep. James Lankford, R-OK, serves as chairman of the subcommittee.

“This is an opportunity for us to talk directly to Congress about the challenges facing Oklahomans because of improper actions by the EPA, specifically in dealing with regional haze,” Pruitt said. “Under the Clean Air Act, Oklahoma stakeholders have the authority to create an Oklahoma solution for non-health related issues like regional haze.”

Pruitt will address the state’s lawsuit against the EPA and the decision this month by the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals to stay the EPA’s federal plan.

“I look forward to discussing with committee members the 10th Circuit’s recent decision that temporarily prevents the EPA from implementing its overreaching federal plan. If the plan is allowed to move forward, utility rates in Oklahoma will rise as much as 20 percent over 3 years and the economic harm to the state and its citizens would be irreparable.”  

Given the Supreme Court announcement expected today on Obamacare and the House of Representatives vote on Attorney General Eric Holder, Pruitt should have a busy and very interesting day.