State’s leaders cheer Pruitt’s resignation

Washington leadership celebrated the resignation of Environmental Protection Agency head Scott Pruitt Thursday. Many also said it was long overdue.

“After so many ethical violations, it took far too long for Scott Pruitt to leave (the EPA),” Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., tweeted. “Still, his ouster is welcome news for anyone who likes clean air, clean water & leaders more interested in public health rather than the bottom line of massive corporations and special interests.”

Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., remarked that environmental stewardship requires constant vigilance.

“The fact that EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt actively did the opposite makes his resignation today a great day for salmon, clean air, and Mother Earth,” Cantwell said in a statement. “I look forward to considering the nomination of an EPA Administrator who will respect taxpayer dollars and stand up for the environment.”

Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson said he encourages the president to select a replacement that follows the law. “Scott Pruitt’s resignation is long overdue. When looking for the next person to lead the EPA, I encourage the president to select someone who follows the rule of law.

“Since Scott Pruitt took over, my office has led or joined nearly a dozen lawsuits against the EPA. We are undefeated in those lawsuits. Three lawsuits against Pruitt’s EPA resulted in successful outcomes that cannot be appealed,” Ferguson said in a statement. “Regardless of his or her political ideology, the EPA must have an ethical, law-abiding leader in order to fulfill its critical mission. If the next EPA administrator fails to learn from Pruitt’s example, we will continue defeating the agency’s actions in court.”