Video Discussion #1 – War on the EPA
Description
Based off this video: https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/film/war-on-the-epa/ (Links to an external site.) The Frontline video War on the EPA chronicles the rise of Scott Pruitt from Oklahoma attorney general to EPA Administrator in the Trump Administration. After watching the video and completing the study guide, participate in a discussion with your class peers about Scott Pruitt’s political background and motivations for changing energy policy within the EPA. How Scott Pruitt went from fighting the Environmental Protection Agency to running it and rolling back years of policy. Note: On July 5, 2018, Scott Pruitt resigned as EPA Administrator because of ethics investigations. The new Acting EPA Administrator is Andrew Wheeler, a former coal lobbyist for Robert E. Murray. 1. Describe in a few paragraphs why the Obama Administration’s focus on energy policy was alarming to the people of middle America and those in the fossil fuel energy sector. For example, what were their primary concerns and how did they contribute to the rise of the Tea Party movement in 2009? Is it fair to state that clean energy policies were destroying the coal industry or were other economic issues hurting coal? (4 points) 2. Describe in a short paragraph how the Obama Administration changed its strategy for adopting clean energy policies by focusing on executive actions instead of the Legislative Branch. How did the members of RAGA react to this strategy? What action did they take and what role did Scott Pruitt play in this action? (4 points) 3. Describe how Scott Pruitt’s leadership role in RAGA led to his nomination by President Trump to the EPA administrator position. Which industry leaders played a role in his nomination and how (be specific)? Based on this, which direction do you think the EPA is headed under the Trump administration? (4 points) 4. Respond (in a few sentences) to another student’s comments either agreeing or disagreeing (respectfully) and why. (3 points)
