EPA administrator Scott Pruitt spent 43 days out of a 92-day stretch from March to May in Oklahoma or traveling between his home state and Washington, according to a group of former EPA officials. “Based on congressional requests and a hotline complaint,” the EPA inspector general’s office said it will investigate Pruitt’s frequent trips, reported the Oklahoman.
Pruitt traveled throughout the country “to hear directly from people impacted by EPA’s regulations outside of the Washington bubble,” said an EPA spokeswoman. “This is nothing more than a distraction from the administrator’s significant environmental accomplishments.”
The inspector general office said it has three objectives for its review – to determine the “frequency, cost and extent” of the trips, if Pruitt followed EPA rules, and whether EPA rules are strong enough to prevent abuse. “Pruitt’s travel around Oklahoma has spurred speculation that he is gearing up for a gubernatorial run in 2018 or a U.S. Senate run in 2020,” said the Oklahoman. “In his interview with The Oklahoman in late July, Pruitt denied he is running for governor and vowed to remain with theEPA for as long as President Donald Trump wants him to.