SYCAMORE, Pa. (AP) – Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt told dozens of Pennsylvania coal miners Thursday that the “regulatory assault” on their industry is over, and that the environment can be protected without hurting business.
“We’re going to do it the American way, grow jobs and show the rest of the world how it’s done,” Pruitt said before going on a mine tour about 50 miles south of Pittsburgh.
“The regulatory assault is over,” he said, referring to tightened environmental and other regulatory standards on coal and other energy industries under former President Barack Obama. “We’re going to partner together with you.”
Pruitt spoke for less than five minutes to about 100 workers at the Harvey Mine, one of three comprising the nation’s largest underground coal mining complex. It’s run by CNX Coal Resources.
He did not take any questions from the news media, which did not accompany him on the underground tour.