FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact: Jennifer Witherspoon:

Defenders of Wildlife, (202) 772-0269, jwitherspoon@defenders.org

 

WASHINGTON (January 18, 2017) – Senate confirmation hearings begin today for Scott Pruitt as the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Defenders of Wildlife opposes Pruitt as Administrator for the EPA.  Pruitt, who as Attorney General for the State of Oklahoma, joined with the fossil fuel industry to sue the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and undermine Endangered Species Act (ESA) protections for the lesser prairie-chicken. As Oklahoma’s Attorney General, Pruitt sued fourteen times to block the EPA’s water and air safeguards, with at least eight cases against the agency he would be tasked with leading – including efforts to roll back the EPA’s Clean Power Plan.  The following is a statement from CEO and President of Defenders of Wildlife, Jamie Rappaport Clark:

“Scott Pruitt in charge of the EPA is like the fox in charge of the hen house. He has led the charge against the EPA to roll back protections for clean air and water and to stabilize the climate. His actions would put all Americans – and our climate, air, wildlife and waterways – at risk.

“We don’t need another Flint, Michigan or the Cuyahoga River fire on our hands. Healthy water and air benefit people and wildlife. We need a leader for the EPA who upholds our nation’s strong environmental laws, follows science and the letter of the law, accepts that climate change is real and fights to protect our air, water and wildlife.”

###

Defenders of Wildlife is dedicated to the protection of all native animals and plants in their natural communities. With more than 1.2 million members and activists, Defenders of Wildlife is a leading advocate for innovative solutions to safeguard our wildlife heritage for generations to come. For more information, visit www.defenders.org. For the latest news from Defenders, follow us at @DefendersNews.  

For nearly 80 years, Defenders of Wildlife has worked to protect and restore America’s wildlife at risk of extinction, advancing a vision of a future in which wildlife thrives, sustained by broad public support and a resilient network of healthy lands and waters. With a network of more than 2 million supporters, Defenders is an advocate for innovative solutions to safeguard wildlife for generations to come. To learn more, please visit https://defenders.org/newsroom or follow us on Instagram @defendersofwildlife.  

 

News

Single manatee under water swimming in the hot springs sanctuary in Florida
Washington, D.C.

Trump Administration Rescinds ‘Harm’ Definition, Defenders Prepares for Court

In a devastating blow to wildlife, the Trump administration today formally rescinded the regulatory definition of “harm” under the Endangered Species Act, eliminating the long-standing legal interpretation that habitat destruction that leads to death or injury of protected species is illegal.
Black bears on rocks above Anan Creek Tongass NF
Raleigh, North Carolina

Defenders Celebrates North Carolina General Assembly’s Historic Investment in Wildlife Crossings with Recurring Multi-million-dollar Appropriation

North Carolina's $10.2M recurring investment for wildlife crossings is a historic win, protecting both motorists and vulnerable species like black bears and red wolves. The victory is part of a years-long effort from the Safe Passage Coalition.
Visit the newsroom