Scott Pruitt

David Bernhardt

Newly confirmed interior secretary suppressed information on pesticide risks, documents show

When Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke stepped down in January amid multiple ethics probes, his deputy secretary, David Bernhardt, filled in. Now, as the longtime oil and agribusiness lobbyist formally takes the reins at the Interior Department, criticism is mounting over alleged conflicts of interest and government documents indicate that Bernhardt interfered with a key US Fish and Wildlife Service report that detailed the risks pesticides can pose to endangered species.

Newly confirmed interior secretary suppressed information on pesticide risks, documents show
Coal plant emission

Two recent EPA decisions threaten children's health, experts say

Two recent EPA decisions threaten children's health, experts say
Kavanaugh 2006

What would a Justice Kavanaugh mean for the environment?

What would a Justice Kavanaugh mean for the environment?
Westlake Chemical

EPA weakens oversight of toxic chemicals

EPA weakens oversight of toxic chemicals
Wood scraps

The UK’s move away from coal means they’re burning wood from the US

The UK’s move away from coal means they’re burning wood from the US
Whitehouse Koch bros

Democratic senators probe the extent of Koch brothers' influence on Trump administration policy

As the close ties between fossil fuel billionaires Charles and David Koch and the Trump administration come to light, Democratic senators are demanding answers about how much influence the Koch brothers have had in shaping key federal policies, including the decision to pull the US out of the Paris Agreement and the shrinking of national monuments.

Democratic senators probe the extent of Koch brothers' influence on Trump administration policy
Scott Pruitt at Congress

Ethical and legal questions surround Scott Pruitt's time at the EPA

Democrats in Congress are pushing for his resignation, but so far most GOP members have remained quiet.

Ethical and legal questions surround Scott Pruitt's time at the EPA
Polluting plant

Groups sue EPA over regulatory rollback, saying clean air is 'at risk'

Once a major polluter becomes subject to the most-stringent regulations, it is always subject to the most stringent regulations, in perpetuity. Now, however, the EPA is rolling back the "once in always in" policy, and environmental activists are alarmed.

Groups sue EPA over regulatory rollback, saying clean air is 'at risk'
City streets and highway overpasses are shown in San Diego, California.

Scott Pruitt's plan would double allowable auto emissions by 2025

EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt wants to roll back fuel efficiency standards developed under President Obama. The decision would increase carbon emissions and pollution nationwide and also sets the stage for a possible legal battle with California, which wants to keep its more stringent standards.

Scott Pruitt's plan would double allowable auto emissions by 2025
Harley-Davidson motorcycles on display at the company’s headquarters in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. An EPA penalty of $15 million for selling emissions defeat devices was decreased by $3 million under the Trump administration in December 2017.

Environmental prosecutions under Trump projected to be the lowest in two decades

Despite promises to "promote clean air and water," environmental prosecutions and penalties have drastically decreased during Trump’s first year.

Environmental prosecutions under Trump projected to be the lowest in two decades
Bomb cyclone

Climate change will accelerate extreme weather events in the coming years

Hurricanes, floods, heat, drought, wildfires — climate change is creating the conditions for an increased risk of catastrophic weather events in the coming years, according to climate researchers.

Climate change will accelerate extreme weather events in the coming years
Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt speaks during an interview with Reuters journalists in Washington, Jan. 9, 2018.

Trump's EPA chief pushes 'cooperative federalism' for food and farming

Scott Pruitt has made wholesale changes to the EPA over the last year, and his impact on food and farming have been no less sparing.

Trump's EPA chief pushes 'cooperative federalism' for food and farming
hurricane irma

White House-approved report says climate change is 'extremely likely' to be caused by human activity

The White House approved the Climate Science Special Report, which says that climate change is "extremely likely" to be caused by human activity and, without cuts to carbon emissions, could get worse.

White House-approved report says climate change is 'extremely likely' to be caused by human activity
A firefighter works to put out a forest fire during a June heatwave in Southern Spain. Fires have plagued much of southern Europe this summer as the region has been hit by intense heat and drought.

Federal scientists’ report says climate change is dangerously real

In a direct challenge to the positions and policies of the Trump administration, a leaked draft of a scientific report from 13 US federal agencies says there's no doubt humans are largely responsible for climate change. It warns of the stark consequences now and in the future.

Federal scientists’ report says climate change is dangerously real
An oil well pictured, back lit by a sunset near Guthrie, Oklahoma.

Appeals court blocks Trump's attempt to roll back methane rules

The US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit has ruled the Environmental Protection Agency cannot suspend a regulation that makes new oil and gas wells reduce methane leaks.

Appeals court blocks Trump's attempt to roll back methane rules