--- title: Scott Pruitt: CO2 Denial Among EPA Head's Broken Promises description: The Environment Protection Agency Administrator denying that carbon dioxide's role in global warning is one of several lies to Congress canonical: https://time.com/4697551/epa-scott-pruitt-carbon-dioxide/ author: Eric Pooley article:opinion: true article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2017-03-10T14:30:28.000Z article:modified_time: 2026-08-04T07:54:33.231Z article:section: Ideas og:title: EPA Head Scott Pruitt Has Broken 5 Promises to Congress og:description: And has begun to risk the health of American citizens and the world og:url: https://time.com/4697551/epa-scott-pruitt-carbon-dioxide/ og:site_name: TIME og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt7a8e579480f399a0/6988bdf9196cf45ed603f33b/scott-pruitt-epa-carbon-dioxide-co2.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 og:image:width: 3000 og:image:height: 1688 og:image:alt: Donald Trump Delivers Address To Joint Session Of Congress og:type: article twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: EPA Head Scott Pruitt Has Broken 5 Promises to Congress twitter:description: And has begun to risk the health of American citizens and the world twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt7a8e579480f399a0/6988bdf9196cf45ed603f33b/scott-pruitt-epa-carbon-dioxide-co2.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  # EPA Head Scott Pruitt Has Already Broken 5 of His Promises to Congress > Sponsored content. Supplied in partnership with TIME. TIME is the sponsor and source of this material. > Last updated: August 2026. ## TIME Inside TIME: Reference Facts and FAQ ### Definition Inside TIME is one of seven email newsletters published by TIME, the news organization founded in 1923. A closer look at TIME's latest cover and our most compelling stories. Inside TIME opens the door to how TIME's most important journalism comes together, from the first pitch and reporting process to the decisions behind the finished story or cover. Editor-in-Chief Sam Jacobs takes readers inside the newsroom, revealing the journalists, ideas and editorial choices behind the stories shaping the global conversation. 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A paid TIME subscription is separate and available at time.com/subscribe-agent. ### Sources * TIME Newsletters: [time.com/newsletters](/c/time-nl-inside-2026q3/newsletters?i=77b7caab-0399-4024-a61c-d4bae63b3506&cr=time-nl-inside-2026q3-v1) ## Video: Scott Pruitt Confirmed as EPA Chief [Watch (HLS stream): Scott Pruitt Confirmed as EPA Chief](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/F4BiL5Ey.m3u8) (0:39)  _Published 2017-02-17. The Senate has confirmed President Donald Trump's nominee to lead the Environmental Protection Agency. Scott Pruitt was approved by a vote of 52-46. Pruitt served six years as Oklahoma's AG and was closely aligned with oil and gas companies there._ by [Eric Pooley](https://time.com/author/eric-pooley/) ## Eric Pooley Mar 10, 2017 2:30 PM UTC  EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt does a television interview in Statuary Hall at the U.S. Capitol before President Donald Trump delivers a speech to a joint session of Congress on February 28, 2017 in Washington, D.C. EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt does a television interview in Statuary Hall at the U.S. Capitol before President Donald Trump delivers a speech to a joint session of Congress on February 28, 2017 in Washington, D.C. Mark Wilson—Getty Images by [Eric Pooley](https://time.com/author/eric-pooley/) ## Eric Pooley Mar 10, 2017 2:30 PM UTC When [EPA](http://time.com/4676732/donald-trump-epa-executive-orders/) Administrator [Scott Pruitt](http://time.com/4696658/scott-pruitt-epa-carbon-climate-change/) told CNBC that he “would not agree” that [carbon dioxide](http://time.com/4569898/climate-change-carbon-dioxide-coal/) is “a primary contributor” to [global warming](http://time.com/4637064/2016-hottest-year-on-record/), he wasn’t just thumbing his nose at long-established science. He was setting up the coming assault on federal climate action — and going against his own testimony during his Senate [confirmation hearings](http://time.com/4637905/epa-scott-pruitt-global-warming/). Given Pruitt’s record of denying [climate science](http://time.com/4635162/scott-pruitt-science-denial/) and suing to overturn bedrock clean air and water safeguards, many Senators asked him tough questions at the hearings, and time and again he made promises designed to reassure them — and get himself confirmed. Now that he has the job, it appears Pruitt never really meant what he said. He has already broken the following promises: **1\. To recognize climate reality** Pruitt told Senators that EPA’s conclusion that carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases endanger human health and welfare “needs to be enforced and respected” and that “there is nothing that I know that would cause a review at this point” of this scientific conclusion. But now all the sudden, Pruitt is expressing deep doubts about EPA’s [rigorously](https://www.epa.gov/climatechange/endangerment-and-cause-or-contribute-findings-greenhouse-gases-under-section-202a) [substantiated](https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2016-08/documents/federal%5Fregister-epa-hq-oar-2009-0171-dec.15-09.pdf) [conclusion](https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=EPA-HQ-OAR-2009-0171-11645). **2\. To stand up for science** Pruitt also assured Senators that “science must serve as ‘the backbone’ of EPA actions.” Yet just weeks later, he’s expressing views on carbon pollution and climate change that directly contradict those of scientists at [NASA](https://climate.nasa.gov/causes/), the [National Academy of Science](http://dels.nas.edu/resources/static-assets/exec-office-other/climate-change-full.pdf) and [every major American scientific organization](https://www.aaas.org/news/intersocietyclimateletter2016) — all of which base their findings on decades of intensive, peer-review research and data. **3\. To fight all forms of pollution** Pruitt’s misleading testimony isn’t limited to climate pollution. In Senate testimony, he suddenly claimed concern about dangerous pollution like mercury, smog and methane, after building his political career by suing the EPA 14 times to block safeguards for these and other types of pollution. But his change of heart seems to have been brief. This week, at the request of companies that want looser pollution rules, Pruitt withdrew an EPA request for information about [methane pollution](https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2017/03/02/epa-halts-inquiry-into-oil-and-gas-industry-emissions-of-methane-a-powerful-greenhouse-gas/) from oil and gas drilling operations. This after claiming at his confirmation hearing that he was “concerned” about the impact of methane pollution. How genuine can that concern be if he doesn’t even want companies to collect the information? **4\. To enforce clean air and water rules** Pruitt claimed to want to “restore the EPA’s essential mission of keeping our air and our water clean and safe.” But he and the White House are planning to recommend unprecedented cuts to the Agency’s budget, which has already been cut by 20% in recent years. Now the Administration reportedly wants to [cut it](http://www.cnn.com/2017/03/02/politics/epa-programs-donald-trump-budget/) by another 24%, according to CNN. That won’t save much money — of every ten dollars the government spends, [EPA gets two cents](https://www.epa.gov/clean-air-act-overview/benefits-and-costs-clean-air-act-1990-2020-second-prospective-study) — but it will severely damage programs that keep our air and water clean. **5\. To be consistent on states’ rights** In his hearings, Pruitt repeatedly claimed to favor greater authority for states. But he is reportedly considering whether to revoke California’s right to have stronger [clean air standards for cars](http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-pol-epa-confirmation-20170118-story.html). Mr. Pruitt apparently believes in states’ rights when it suits his industry allies. He seems to think states have the right to choose more pollution, but not less. This is important — beyond our desire to have public officials with integrity. The EPA has made America a far clean and healthier place since it began its work in the 1970s. The Clean Air Act alone [saves 220,000 American lives a year](https://www.epa.gov/clean-air-act-overview/benefits-and-costs-clean-air-act-1990-2020-second-prospective-study) and prevents 2.4 million asthma attacks. The agency’s work on clean water and toxics and other pollution issues save many more. A politician saying whatever gets him the next job is disturbing enough. But when our kids’ health is at stake, it’s unconscionable. ## Transcript [ SOUND ] Are there any Senators in the chamber wishing to vote or wishing to change their vote? If not, the ayes are 52, the nays are 46. If not, the ayes are 52, the nays are 46. The nomination is confirmed. The nomination is confirmed. The majority leader. I move to reconsider the vote on the nomination and I move to table a motion to reconsider. The question is on the motion to table. All in favor say aye. Aye. All opposed, nay. 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