12.09.2016

NEW YORK – A coalition of community organizing groups today vociferously opposed President-elect Donald Trump’s nomination of Scott Pruitt as Administrator for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The Center for Popular Democracy, a national grassroots organizing network, led a slew of groups in critiquing the nomination and calling on U.S. Senators to reject the nomination.

Aura Vasquez, Director of Climate Justice at Center for Popular Democracy, released the following statement:

“At a time when millions around the country are in danger from the growing threats of climate change, the nomination of Scott Pruitt is a very bad choice. Pruitt has worked hand-in-hand with the country's biggest polluters to deny the existence of climate change and allow oil and gas companies to destroy our air and water. His appointment would turn back decades of progress on protecting the environment and put our communities at risk of the inevitable effects of climate pollution. The Senate has the power to turn back his appointment and confirm someone who has America's best interests at heart - not the interests of a few deep-pocketed, well-connected corporations.”

The groups include Make the Road New York, Make the Road Pennsylvania, New Florida Majority, Organize Now, One Pennsylvania, ACTION United, Community Labor United (MA), Neighborhoods Organizing For Change (MN), Take Action Minnesota (MN), Missourians Organizing for Reform & Empowerment (MO), Rights & Democracy (VT + NH), New Virginia Majority (VA),Ohio Organizing Collaborative (OH), New York Communities for Change (NY), and CASA de Maryland (MD + VA).

Henrietta Ricketts, a community organizer with New Florida Majority, also released a separate statement:

“We’re totally up in arms with the appointment of anti-climate and an anti-EPA man to head the EPA, especially since here in Miami we’re already experiencing flooding, extreme heat and other effects of climate change. This choice is dangerous and we cannot let it go through.”

Anthony Newby Executive Director of Neighborhoods Organizing for Change (Minnesota) also released a statement:

"It should go without saying that the director of the Environmental Protection Agency should be committed to protecting our environment. It is extremely dangerous, particularly to communities of color, to let our access to clean air, clean water, and a sustainable climate be determined by oil billionaires. We will vigorously oppose this appointment and expect our senators to do everything in their power to make sure Pruitt is not confirmed by the Senate."

James Haslam, Executive Director of Rights & Democracy (Vermont and New Hampshire) also released a statement:

"It is hard to imagine a worse nightmare for a choice to Environmental Protection Agency. In all seriousness, they might as well rename it the Environmental Exploitation Agency. The stakes are simply too high to allow these people to make the rules for our communities, we must stand up to demand clean water and to end the use of fossil fuels."

Gustavo Torres, Executive Director of CASA de Maryland, also released a statement:

“How can someone who doesn’t believe in climate change—which is supported by 97 percent of scientists—be in charge of protecting our communities from the greatest environmental threat we face? Scott Pruitt will put corporate interests ahead of the interests of our families and our future, and vulnerable groups like the low-income immigrant populations we work with will suffer the most.  We oppose Pruitt’s nomination and urge our Senators to do likewise.”

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www.populardemocracy.org

The Center for Popular Democracy promotes equity, opportunity, and a dynamic democracy in partnership with innovative base-building organizations, organizing networks and alliances, and progressive unions across the country. CPD builds the strength and capacity of democratic organizations to envision and advance a pro-worker, pro-immigrant, racial justice agenda.

Contact: 

Asya Pikovsky, apikovsky@populardemocracy.org, 207-522-2442

Anita Jain, ajain@populardemocracy.org, 347-636-9761