"EPA Chief Visits Indiana Waste Site Amid Proposed Budget Cuts"

"EAST CHICAGO, Ind. -- The head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) toured his first hazardous waste site on Tuesday amid proposed budget cuts that could devastate efforts to clean up contaminated land and water around the country.

Scott Pruitt's visit to East Chicago, Indiana, came a day after the agency denied a report that it was considering closing its Chicago office, which oversees regional environmental protection efforts, including the Flint, Michigan drinking water clean-up and Great Lakes restoration.

“The reason I’m here is because it is important that we restore confidence to the people here in this community that we are going to get it right going forward,” Pruitt told the media after meeting with residents and lawmakers.

Pruitt did not address the report of the possible office closure or how drastic budget cuts would impact the EPA's operations."

Timothy Mclaughlin reports for Reuters April 19, 2017.

SEE ALSO:

"'Climate Injustice Is Here': Protesters Voice Frustration as EPA Chief Pruitt Visits East Chicago " (Chicago Tribune)

"Scott Pruitt Visits A Polluted City That Could Be Crushed By EPA Budget Cuts" (Huffington Post)

"Scott Pruitt to East Chicago Residents: Chicago EPA Office Not Closing" (WTTW)

"EPA's Pruitt Visits East Chicago; Agency Denies Regional Office Closure" (Northwest Indiana Times)

Source: Reuters, 04/20/2017