Fallin applauds Pruitt nomination to lead EPA

Scott Pruitt

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin is praising the nomination of Oklahoma’s attorney general, Scott Pruitt, to lead the Environmental Protection Agency.

President-elect Donald Trump confirmed Thursday that he’s nominating Pruitt to lead the EPA, saying that the attorney general understands the impact that regulations have on the environment and the economy.

Fallin, who has also met with Trump to discuss a possible administration job, said in a statement Thursday that Pruitt is a “tireless advocate of the precious balance of power between state and federal governments.”

Pruitt’s nomination was widely criticized by environmental groups, with the Sierra Club saying it was like “putting an arsonist in charge of fighting fires.”