Scott Pruitt, Former E.P.A. Chief, Is in Talks for His Next Job: Coal Consultant

Source: NY Times

WASHINGTON — Scott Pruitt, the former head of the Environmental Protection Agency, is in discussions to work as a consultant to the Kentucky coal mining tycoon Joseph W. Craft III, according to two industry executives familiar with the plans.

Mr. Pruitt has remained largely out of the public eye since departing the Trump administration in July under a cloud of ethics investigations into matters including his ties to fossil fuel industry executives with business before the agency.

Mr. Craft, the chief executive of Alliance Resource Partners and a major Republican donor, enjoyed a close relationship with the E.P.A. during Mr. Pruitt’s tenure. Mr. Craft met with Mr. Pruitt at least seven times in Mr. Pruitt’s first 14 months at the agency and in December provided him with courtside seats at a University of Kentucky basketball game, a school where Mr. Craft is a prominent supporter.

According to two industry officials, Mr. Pruitt laid out his plans to develop a new consulting firm in one-on-one discussions with several executives during a Kentucky Coal Association meeting last week. The executives asked not to be identified because they were not authorized to discuss the plans. One described the venture as working with Mr. Craft “on a personal level.” The executives said Mr. Pruitt would not be an employee of Alliance and that his roster would eventually include other clients.

Read more: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/scott-pruitt-former-epa-chief-is-in-talks-for-his-next-job-coal-consultant/ar-BBNfjip?li=BBnbcA1