2 of Pruitt’s top aides leave EPA amid ethics investigations

The two top officials in charge of security and toxic-waste cleanups at the Environmental Protection Agency have abruptly left their jobs, days after EPA administrator Scott Pruitt told lawmakers his subordinates were to blame for ethics problems that have imperiled his political future and prompted more than a dozen federal investigations. In statements Tuesday, Pruitt praised the two men - Pasquale "Nino" Perrotta, the security chief, and Albert Kelly, who ran the EPA's Superfund program - and gave no reason for their unexpected departures.

U.S. lawmakers seek details from EPA chief on fuel economy rule changes

Two Democratic lawmakers asked Environmental Protection Agency chief Scott Pruitt on Monday for documents related to proposed changes to vehicle fuel emission standards and California's authority to set its own measures, and accused him of misleading Congress of the agency's plans. FILE PHOTO: Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt speaks during an interview at his office in Washington, U.S., July 10, 2017.

Coal Ash Ponds Put our Waterways at Risk

Toxic ponds filled with billions of gallons of waste from coal plants across the United States pose a threat to hundreds of rivers and lakes, and millions of Americans who live near them. As the public comment period closes on the Trump administration's proposal to weaken current rules protecting waterways, Accidents Waiting to Happen: Coal Ash Ponds Put Our Waterways at Risk , a new report from Environment America Research & Policy Center, U.S. PIRG Education Fund and Frontier Group, documents the toxic pollution threats from these poorly-regulated waste pits.

Ending secret science at EPA

Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt has proposed to end the longstanding EPA practice of using secretive, often questionable, even deceptive science to support agency policy and regulatory initiatives. His proposed rules will ensure that any science underlying agency actions is transparent and publicly available for independent experts to examine and validate or point out its flaws.

EPA inspector general details numerous reviews into Scott Pruitt’s actions

The EPA inspector general is looking into embattled Administrator Scott Pruitt's $50-per-night apartment rental, travel expenses, security team, controversial raises for staff, use of subordinates' time and staff reassignments that some have said were retribution. The litany of ethics reviews were detailed in a letter to Democratic Reps.

EPA’s Pruitt admits role in aide’s pay raise but calls attacks on him politically motivated

EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt during an interview in his office at the EPA headquarters in Washington on Oct. 25, 2017. EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt during an interview in his office at the EPA headquarters in Washington on Oct. 25, 2017.

The Latest: Dems press Pruitt on key cause of climate change

Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt testifies before the House Energy and Commerce subcommittee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, April 26, 2018. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt testifies before the House Energy and Commerce subcommittee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, April 26, 2018.

The Latest: EPA chief says he did know about pay raises Source: AP

The Latest on Environmental Protection Agency chief Scott Pruitt and his appearances on Capitol Hill : Environmental Protection Agency chief Scott Pruitt concedes he did have some knowledge of big pay raises awarded to two close aides. At a hearing, Democrat Rep. Paul Tonko of New York pressed Pruitt on whether he knew about the raises for 30-year-old senior legal counsel Sarah Greenwalt and 26-year-old scheduling director Millian Hupp.

EPA Chief Scott Pruitt Faces Capitol Hill Hearings Over Ethical Missteps

Environmental Protection Agency chief Scott Pruitt testified Thursday in potentially make-or-break hearings on Capitol Hill, where he faced questions about spending and ethics scandals that have triggered bipartisan calls for his ouster. Pruitt read a prepared statement about his agency's fiscal year 2019 budget priorities to begin the first of two back-to-back hearings before House subcommittees.

EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt heads to Capitol Hill to defend his conduct and management

As calls for his ouster rise, EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt heads to Capitol Hill Thursday were he's expected to face scrutiny for misconduct allegations EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt heads to Capitol Hill to defend his conduct and management As calls for his ouster rise, EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt heads to Capitol Hill Thursday were he's expected to face scrutiny for misconduct allegations Check out this story on USATODAY.com: https://usat.ly/2Hs06yU President Trump is defending Environmental Protection Agency administrator Scott Pruitt who is under fire for allegedly spending a lot of taxpayer money.

EPA security chief also worked for owner of tabloid company

The security chief for the head of the Environmental Protection Agency worked on the side as a private investigator for the owner of a tabloid news company with close ties to President Donald Trump. EPA special agent Pasquale "Nino" Perrotta performed regular work for National Enquirer publisher American Media Inc. during the 2016 election, according to person with knowledge of the company's internal workings.

Opponents decry Scott Pruitt’s plan to roll back groundwater protections at coal ash sites

Heavy machinery excavate and carry coal ash from a drained coal ash pond at Dominion Power's Possum Point Power Station in Dumfries, Virginia. CREDIT: Kate Patterson for The Washington Post via Getty Images Residents have not been clamoring for Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt to weaken the nation's coal ash waste rules.

Climate deniers and tobacco flacks headline the EPA’s new science standard announcement

EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt testifies during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works on Capitol Hill January 18, 2017 in Washington, DC. On Tuesday afternoon, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt signed a proposed rule limiting the kinds of science that the agency can use in its rulemaking, a step that he described as bringing transparency and trust back to the agency's scientific process.

Lawmakers: EPA analysis said Pruitt bug sweep was inadequate

In this April 3, 2018, file photo, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt speaks at a news conference at the EPA in Washington. New internal documents say a sweep for hidden listening devices in Pruitt's office was shoddy and wasn't properly certified under U.S. government practices less FILE - In this April 3, 2018, file photo, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt speaks at a news conference at the EPA in Washington.

EPA watchdog opens latest investigation into Pruitt security

In this Feb. 12, 2018, file photo, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt attends a meeting at the White House in Washington. Pruitt flew in coach-class seats on at least two trips when taxpayers weren't footing the bill, despite claims he needed to travel in first class at government expense because of security threats.

Pact reached to make Newby Island stop dumping pollutants into bay

A local environmental watchdog group says it has reached a legal settlement with operators of the Newby Island Resource Recovery Park landfill to curb toxic runoff into local waterways. Erica Maharg, managing attorney for San Francisco Baykeeper, said in an interview last month that in the four years the organization monitored Newby Island starting in 2012, the facility consistently released excessive levels of pollutants into Coyote and Lower Penitencia creeks in violation of the Clean Water Act.

Labor and civil rights organizations call for EPA chief Scott Pruitt’s ouster

Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt listens before President Trump arrives to speak during an energy roundtable with tribal, state and local leaders in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in June. Environmental organizations have made themselves hoarse calling for Scott Pruitt's ouster from the Environmental Protection Agency over his efforts to roll back government regulations - and lately, his spending and personnel decisions.