Report: EPA Head’s Schedule Shows Few Environmental Meetings

Since taking office in February, Environmental Protection Agency chief Scott Pruitt has held almost daily meetings with executives from companies he regulates but barely any with environmental groups, The New York Times reports. Citing a 320-page accounting of Pruitt’s daily schedule from February through May, the report says Pruitt has enjoyed fine dining with top coal-mining executives and held frequent meetings with executives and lobbyists from all the economic sectors he regulates. He also reportedly held a call with the far-right Family Research Council, which seeks to “advance faith, family and freedom in public policy and the culture from a Christian worldview.” Mostly absent from his schedule, however, were meetings with environmental groups and public-health advocates, despite the many matters such groups have pending before the agency. The EPA responded to the Times’ report with an emailed statement saying the agency was “meeting with those ignored by the Obama administration” and accused the newspaper of trying to “sensationalize” Pruitt’s schedule.