How does Administrator Scott Pruitt dodge the tidal wave of Freedom of Information Act requests concerning his Environmental Protection Agency? Answer all the Obama-era requests first before tending to the new ones (you know, the ones that have been getting him into so much trouble lately). According to Pruitt's former chief of staff and others—and made public in a letter by congressman Elijah Cummings, who is on the House Oversight Committee investigating the matter—the EPA has adopted a “first-in, first-out” policy. The evasion strategy has undoubtedly exacerbated the mounting illegal delays on thousands of backlogged requests—a reported 200 percent increase over the previous administration's EPA.
Related Content
Skip carousel items
NRDC Sues EPA for Failing to Respond to Freedom of Information Act Requests
Press Release
The Natural Resources Defense Council filed a lawsuit today asking a federal court to order the release of records addressing whether Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt is adhering to ethical obligations, and whether he is favoring industry stakeholders.

The List: Scott Pruitt's Lies & Distortions—So Far
Expert BlogJake Thompson
When EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt appears before a Senate appropriations subcommittee on Wednesday morning, it’s likely his penchant to lie about his ethical problems and mischaracterize his dangerous agenda will be front and center—again.

The Disgrace of Scott Pruitt
Latest NewsUnited StatesJeff Turrentine
Muzzling scientists, scrubbing websites, attacking journalists: all in a shameful day’s work for our bought-and-paid-for EPA administrator. It’s time to stop him.

It's Time to Fire Scott Pruitt
Expert BlogRhea Suh
The EPA administrator is a threat to the environment and our health.