Today, U.S. Congressman Scott Peters (CA-52) welcomed Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt’s decision to resign.

“Scott Pruitt’s resignation is welcome and long overdue. As EPA Administrator, he wrongfully put personal interests over environmental stewardship and public health. Instead of focusing on protecting our land, air, and water for future generations, Pruitt filled the EPA with unqualified people, who also had enormous conflicts of interest; he wasted taxpayer money on personal expenses; and he dismantled key environmental protections,” said Rep. Peters.

“I pressed Pruitt and other EPA officials on these actions and allegations because they conflict with the spirit and mission of the EPA. As a former environmental lawyer, I’ve seen the dangers to our environment and championed policies to reduce those risks throughout my entire career. Pruitt did not share those same values and I will continue to hold the entire agency accountable to the laws that protect our air, our water, and our public lands. Unfortunately, the acting head of the EPA is Andrew Wheeler, a former coal lobbyist whose sights are also set on rapid deregulation,” Rep. Peters continued.

Five days after Rep. Peters called for the resignation of EPA Superfund Chief Albert Kelly, Kelly resigned. Rep. Peters also questioned Pruitt, who refused to answer questions about changes to methane rules. He also questioned EPA Air and Radiation Assistant Administrator Wehrum about the consequences of greenhouse gases on public health. Rep. Peters had also signed onto legislation calling for Pruitt’s dismissal.