Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa today made the following comment on his vote to confirm Scott Pruitt as administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. In January, Grassley convened a meeting among Pruitt and several senators from biofuels-producing states to convey their views on the importance of biofuels to job creation, energy security, the environment and meeting the country’s significant energy needs.
“In the meeting in my office, Mr. Pruitt expressed his support for the Renewable Fuel Standard and even more importantly, for the rule of law. The rule of law is that what Congress passed, the EPA is supposed to follow and not undermine it, the way the Obama administration did with the RFS. Mr. Pruitt satisfied me that he appreciates the contributions that Iowa and other renewable energy-producing states contribute to the economy and otherwise. From the standpoint of what President Trump wants to accomplish, renewable energy supports a high number of jobs, 43,000 jobs in Iowa just with biofuels and another 7,000 jobs in wind energy. Supporting renewable fuels also makes sense for energy independence. I also am looking forward to an EPA administrator who appreciates that regulations have to be reasonable and workable. The Waters of the U.S. rule was much too broad. I believe that economic growth and job creation can go hand in hand with a clean environment. EPA regulations just need to pass the common sense test and not be any more cumbersome or expensive than necessary to protect the environment. I’m looking for that kind of thinking from the EPA, and it looks as if Mr. Pruitt will fit the bill.”
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