Tennessee scientists urge Corker, Alexander to oppose Trump’s EPA pick

Four locals, including two college professors, are among a group of 56 Tennessee scientists urging lawmakers to oppose President-elect Donald Trump’s choice to lead the Environmental Protection Agency.

Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt is scheduled today for a 10 a.m. confirmation hearing before the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.

“If confirmed, Mr. Pruitt may rescind public health standards that are directly beneficial for Tennessee, putting the health of your constituents at increased risk,” reads a Jan. 12 letter by the Union of Concerned Scientists and sent to Republican Sens. Bob Corker and Lamar Alexander.

Corker and Alexander do not serve on the Environment and Public Works committee and each are heads of other Senate committees with confirmation hearings this week. But the duo will vote on Pruitt’s nomination when it goes before the full Senate after the hearing and Trump’s Friday inauguration.

Sean Richards, environmental science professor at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, and Richard Clements, Chattanooga State environmental science professor, were among those who signed the letter blasting Pruitt.