Word came yesterday that President-Elect Donald Trump has tapped Oklahoma’s Attorney General Scott Pruitt to succeed Gina McCarthy as administrator of the US Environmental Protection Agency. The agricultural community is practically jumping with joy in response to this news. Michael Kelsey, executive vice president of the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association told Radio Oklahoma Network’s Associate Farm Director Carson Horn yesterday that he and his colleagues in Oklahoma are “almost giddy” about Pruitt’s appointment. He states that finally after eight years of some of the most anti-agricultural policy coming from the EPA, agriculture has finally found a friend in the agency that will use common sense and understanding to lead the organization.
“General Pruitt has proven that he has a very firm grasp and understanding of the positive relationship between agriculture and environment. You cannot separate the two,” Kelsey said, “and he knows that and he understands that stewardship is our middle name in terms of Oklahoma farmers and ranchers, indeed, America’s farmers and ranchers.”
According to Kelsey, at the top of the ag community’s wish list of regulatory repeals, WOTUS, or the Waters of the US rule.
“I think we’ve got a great friend here,” Kelsey said. “I think WOTUS - I mean, the funeral arrangements, they’re set if you will for that just… terrible piece of regulatory rule.”
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