Open Letter to the President-Elect Supporting Scott Pruitt for EPA Administrator

E. Calvin Beisner, Ph.D., Founder & National Spokesman

The Cornwall Alliance for the Stewardship of Creation

Dear President-elect Donald J. Trump:

We write to you as evangelical and mainline Protestant, Roman Catholic, and Jewish scientists, economists, legal scholars, policy experts, and religious leaders in support of your nomination of Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt to the office of Administrator of the federal Environmental Protection Agency.

The EPA has the crucial task of writing and enforcing regulations that apply statutes passed by Congress and signed by the President to protect the life and health of Americans. Its work necessarily integrates science, economics, law, politics, and ethics, all of which are rooted in religious worldviews. A good Administrator must demonstrate expertise in at least some of these, and mature understanding of and receptivity to the insights of all. Scott Pruitt does.

As Oklahoma Attorney General, Mr. Pruitt has demonstrated his legal expertise in successful litigation to require corporations—including the energy corporations so prominent in his state’s economy—to abide by environmental laws and regulations. He has publicly expressed his conviction that the EPA’s role is not to create law through regulations that exceed the scope of enabling legislation but to implement the intent of that legislation and nothing more. That is, he recognizes that environmental policy should be determined by the people’s elected representatives, not by unelected, unaccountable members of the federal bureaucracy. He has also publicly opposed the abuse of the court system by use of “sue-and-settle” to reach sweetheart deals between the EPA and environmental advocacy groups. These are some of the obvious ways in which his legal expertise qualifies him for Administrator.

Mr. Pruitt has also demonstrated understanding of and open-mindedness toward scientific insights crucial to the formulation and implementation of environmental regulation. He is prepared to hear all sides in debates over the risks and benefits of various activities that come under the purview of the EPA.

Finally, as a committed evangelical Christian, Mr. Pruitt has an unbending commitment to human life and health, especially to the protection of the most vulnerable in society. We are pleased to note that a large group of religious leaders, including presidents of some of America’s largest and most prestigious theological seminaries, has also written to you in his support for this reason, and we add our voices to theirs.

Some radical environmentalists and religious activists oppose Mr. Pruitt because he does not embrace their exaggerated fears of human-induced global warming—fears that go well beyond the empirical evidence crucial to genuine science—or their antipathy to the development of the abundant, reliable, affordable energy indispensable to lifting and keeping whole societies out of poverty and the disease and premature death that invariably accompany it. We urge you therefore to stand firmly behind your nominee, and we commit ourselves to supporting him in the confirmation process that lies ahead. We welcome you and your Administration to call on us to assist in any way we can.

Sincerely,

[Institutional associations are for identification only and do not imply institutional endorsement. Those listed below signed by 11 a.m. January 5, 2017. To add your signature or see additional signers, click here.]

1. Raymond P. Adams, M.Div (Pastoral Theology), D.D (Honorary), member, Grace Community Church of Sun Valley, Arcadia, CA
2. Gary L. Anderson, MA (History), Colonel, USAF (retired), Aviation and Civil Engineering, Fruita, CO
3. William L. Anderson, Ph.D. (Economics), Professor of Economics, Frostburg State University, Frostburg, MD
4. William D. Balgord, Ph.D. (Geochemistry), President, Environmental & Resources Technology, Inc., Middleton, WI
5. Tim Ball, Ph.D. (Climatology), Professor, University of Winnipeg, and Adjunct Professor, University of Manitoba (retired)
6. Paul Barber, B.S. (Civil Engineering); President of the Board, Barber Brothers Contracting Co. LLC, Baton Rouge, LA
7. Charles G. Battig, M.S. (Electrical Engineering), M.D., Heartland Institute policy expert on environment; Virginia Scientists and Engineers for Energy and Environment (VA-SEEE), Charlottesville, VA
8. David E. Baugh, B.S. (Chemistry), M.S. (Chemical Engineering), Professional Engineer, Retired, Director, Central Oklahoma Chapter of Reasonable Faith, Oklahoma City, OK
9. Timothy Beard, Th.M. (Theology), retired missionary/pastor, Calvary Bible Church, Toppenish, WA
10. E. Calvin Beisner, Ph.D. (History), Founder and National Spokesman, The Cornwall Alliance for the Stewardship of Creation
11. Victoria Blodgett, New England Regional Director, Aglow International, Southbridge, MA
12. Carl W. Bogue, Jr., Th.D. (Theology), Pastor Emeritus, Faith Presbyterian Church, Akron, OH
13. James A. Borland, (Th.D.), Theology, Professor of Theology, Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA
14. David J. Bufalo, B.S. (Civil Engineering), Licensed Professional Engineer, Denver, Colorado
15. H. Sterling Burnett, Ph.D. (Environmental Ethics), Research Fellow, The Heartland Institute, Rowlett, TX
16. Danny J. Burrows, Lt. Col. (Ret.), USAF, Big Oaks Ranch, Kilgore TX
17. Roger L. Burtner, Ph.D. (Geology), former National Science Foundation Fellow; former Adjunct Professor, Case Western Reserve University; Principal, Remote Sensing Exploration, Fullerton CA
18. Ronald S. Carson, Ph.D. (Nuclear Engineering), Affiliate Assistant Professor, University of Washington; retired Technical Fellow, The Boeing Company; Adjunct Professor, Seattle Pacific University; Renton, WA
19. Kenneth Chilton, Ph.D. (Economics), retired Associate Professor of Management and Director of the Institute for Study of Economics and the Environment, Lindenwood University, St. Louis, MO
20. Charles Clough, M.S. (Atmospheric Physics); retired chief, U.S. Army Atmospheric Effects Team, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD; retired Lt. Col., U.S. Air Force Reserve Weather Officer; President, Biblical Framework Ministries; adjunct professor, Chafer Theological Seminary, Albuquerque, NM
21. Mark Coppenger, Ph.D. (Philosophy), Professor of Christian Apologetics, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, KY
22. Donald R. Crowe, P.E., B.S. (Mechanical Engineering), Founder & President, The Absaroke Corporation, Plantation, FL
23. Claude C. Culross, Ph.D. (Organic Chemistry), Staff Chemist (retired), ExxonMobil, Baton Rouge, LA
24. Donn Dears, B.S. (Engineering), retired GE Company Senior Executive, The Villages, FL
25. Terry W. Donze, B.S. (Geological Engineering), author, Climate Realism: Alarmism Exposed, Wheat Ridge, CO
26. John Droz, M.S. (Physics), B.S. (Physics), B.S. (Math), Independent Scientist, Founder, Alliance for Wise Energy Decisions (AWED), Morehead City, NC
27. Trent England, J.D. (Law), David and Ann Brown Distinguished Fellow, Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs, Oklahoma City, OK
28. James E. Enstrom, Ph.D. (Physics), M.P.H. (Epidemiology), Research Professor / Researcher (retired), UCLA School of Public Health; President, Scientific Integrity Institute, Los Angeles, CA
29. Gordon Evans, M.S. (Soil Science), Environmental Manager, The Texas A&M University System, College Station, TX
30. Joseph Farah, Founder and CEO, WND.com, WND Books, and WND Films, Washington, D.C.
31. Peter M. Felker, Ph.D. (Chemistry), University of California, Los Angeles, CA
32. Neil L. Frank, Ph.D. (Meteorology), former Director, National Hurricane Center (1974–1987), Chief Meteorologist, KHOU-TV Houston (1987–2008), retired, Fulshear, TX
33. John Freeman, B.S. (Engineering) AFTS, retired Anglican priest, Hillcrest, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa
34. Kevin D. Freeman, CFA, B.S., B.A. (Economics), Founder, NSIC (National Security Investment Consultant) Institute, Bartlesville, OK
35. Martin P. Fricke, Ph.D. (Nuclear Physics), Senior Fellow, American Physical Society, San Diego, CA
36. Jim Garlow, Ph.D. (Historical Theology), Pastor, Skyline Church, San Diego; Oversight Pastor, The Jefferson Gathering, US Capitol Building, Washington, DC
37. Albrecht Glatzle, Ph.D. (Agriculture), Retired Director of Research, INTTAS (Iniciativa para la Investigación y Transferencia de Tecnologia Agraria Sostenible), Filadelfia, Paraguay
38. Alan W. Gomes, Ph.D. (Theology), Professor of Theology, Talbot School of Theology, La Mirada, CA
39. Vicki P. Goodman, B.S. (Engineering), Retired Applications Engineer, Prescott, AZ
40. Bruce L. Gordon, Ph.D. (History and Philosophy of Science), Associate Professor,  History and Philosophy of Science, Houston Baptist University, Senior Fellow, Center for Science and Culture, Discovery Institute, Richmond, TX
41. Steve Goreham, MS/EE, MBA, Executive Director, Climate Science Coalition of America, New Lenox, IL
42. Paul S. Gould, Ph.D. (Religious Studies), missionary, writer, Christian Layman’s Missionary Evangelism Association, Prosser, WA
43. Jay Grimstead, D.Min. (Theology), Founder/Director, Coalition on Revival; Founder, International Council on Biblical Inerrancy, Coordinator, International Church Council Project, Murphys, CA
44. Karen Gushta, Ph.D. (Philosophy of Education), D. James Kennedy Ministries, Fort Lauderdale, FL
45. Gary Habermas, Ph.D. (Philosophy, History, and Religion), Distinguished Research Professor and Chair, Department of Philosophy, Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA
46. William Happer, PhD, Cyrus Fogg Brackett Professor of Physics, Emeritus, Princeton University
47. Eugene S. Harsh, M.S. (Meteorology), Lt. Col. USAF (Retired), Colorado Springs, CO
48. Michael Hart, M.A. (Medieval and English History), Ph.D. (abd; Medieval and European History), Professor Emeritus, Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada
49. Ron Heffield, M.M. (Bible), Pastor, New Life Community Church, Orlando, FL
50. Thomas D. Hennigan, M.S. (Environmental and Forest Biology), Associate Professor of Organism Biology, Truett McConnell University, Cleveland, GA
51. Rev Irfon Hughes, M.Div., Co-Pastor, Shiloh Orthodox Presbyterian Church, Raleigh NC
52. Thomas Ice, Ph.D. (Theology), Executive Director, Pre-Trib Research Center, Dallas/Fort Worth, TX
53. Klaus Issler, Ph.D. (Education), Professor of Discipleship and Theology, Talbot School of Theology, Biola University, La Mirada, CA
54. Bryce W. Johnson, Ph.D. (Nuclear Engineering), retired Senior Staff Scientist, Science Applications International Corporation, retired Professional Nuclear Engineer, State of California
55. Peter Jones, Ph.D. (Theology), Director, truthXchange, Escondido, CA; Emeritus Professor of New Testament, Westminster Theological Seminary, Escondido, CA
56. Phillip G. Kayser, Ph.D. (Ethics), Professor of Ethics, Whitefield Theological Seminary, Lakeland, FL
57. C. Keister, Ph.D. (Physics), Pharmaceutical Research Specialist, 3M Company (retired), Lakeville, MN
58. Hugh Kendrick, Ph.D. (Nuclear Engineering), University  of Michigan; former Director, Plans & Analysis, Office of Nuclear Reactor Research, U.S. Department of Energy; retired VP SAIC (Science Applications International Corporation), Tysons Corner, VA
59. Bernard Kepshire, Ph.D. (Fisheries Science), Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon State University (retired), Corvallis, OR
60. Edward C. Krug, Ph.D. (Soil Science), University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, retired
61. Richard Land, D.Phil. (Theology), President, Southern Theological Seminary, Charlotte, NC
62. Mark J. Larson, Ph.D. (Historical Theology), Pastor, Peace Reformed Church, Garner, IA
63. Willes K. Lee, President, National Federation of Republican Assemblies
64. David Legates, Ph.D. (Climatology), Professor of Climatology and Geography, University of Delaware, Newark, DE
65. David H. Lester, Ph.D. (Chemical Engineering), retired, Fox Island, WA
66. David H. Linden, M.Div. (Theology and Bible), Assistant Pastor, University Presbyterian Church, Las Cruces, NM (retired)
67. Richard S. Lindzen, Ph.D. (Applied Mathematics), Alfred P. Sloan Professor of Atmospheric Sciences Emeritus, MIT, Cambridge, MA
68. Stephen D. Livesay Ph.D (Education/History), President, Bryan College, Dayton TN
69. Anthony R. Lupo, Ph.D. (Atmospheric Science), Professor, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO
70. James F. MacGillivray, CFP (retired), Registered Investment Adviser, Albuquerque, NM
71. Matt Mackowiak, B.S. (Communication Studies), Executive Director, Fight For Tomorrow, Austin, TX, and Washington, DC
72. Marion Leroy Madden, Ph.D. (Chemistry), Professor of Chemistry (Retired), Missouri Baptist College, St Louis, MO
73. Jeffrey Mahn, M.S. (Nuclear Engineering), Sandia National Laboratories (Retired), Albuquerque, NM
74. Dr. Matthew Malkan, Ph.D. (Astrophysics), Professor of Physics & Astronomy, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
75. Mark P. Martin, LCSW-C (Social Work), Clinical Social Worker, Brook Lane Health Services, Hagerstown, MD
76. Rod D. Martin, J.D., Founder and CEO, The Martin Organization, Destin, FL; Distinguished Visiting Professor of History and Government, Hannibal LaGrange University, Hannibal, MO
77. The Most Rev. William Mikler (Ph.D., Biblical Philosophy), Archbishop, Communio Christiana, Sanford, FL
78. Tracy Miller, Ph.D. (Economics), Falls Church, VA
79. Craig Vincent Mitchell, Ph.D. (Philosophy/Ethics), Associate Professor of Philosophy, Politics and Economics, Criswell College, Dallas, TX
80. William G. Moore, Ph.D. (Church History), Pastor, Cornerstone Baptist Church, Clinton, SC
81. Mark Musser, M.Div., Pastor and Missionary, Grace Redeemer Bible Church, Olympia, WA
82. Barry L. Myers, Ph.D. (Computer Science), Associate Professor of Computer Science and Chair, Mathematics and Computer Science Department, Northwest Nazarene University, Nampa, ID
83. Erik V. Myhrberg, Ph.D. (International Business), Tactical Chaplain, Quantico, VA
84. Jerry Newcombe, D.Min., Senior Producer and on-air host for D. James Kennedy Ministries, Ft. Lauderdale, FL
85. Dave Odell, M.S., (Zoology), NYSDEC Region 8 Wildlife Manager, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Retired, Clyde, NY
86. George Paul, Ph.D. (Physics), MBA, Senior Lecturer in Physics, University of New South Wales (retired), consultant in Intellectual Property, Sydney, NSW, Australia
87. Franklin Ed Payne, M.D., Associate Professor, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA (retired); co-founder, Journal of Biblical Ethics in Medicine
88. Philip Pennance, Ph.D. (Chemical Physics), M.SC. (Geophysics), Professor of Mathematics, University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras, Puerto Rico
89. Ricki Pepin, Author, Lecturer, Instructor, Institute on the Constitution, Springfield, OH
90. Mark Pinkerton, MD (Family Medicine), Professor of Pharmacy Practice, Cedarville University, Cedarville, OH
91. Joseph A. Pipa Jr., Ph.D. (Theology), President and Professor of Systematic Theology, Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Greenville, SC
92. Everett Piper, Ph.D., President, Oklahoma Wesleyan University, Bartlesville, OK
93. Ronald W. Pritchett  M.S. (MOTM) Master of Technology Management, (B.S.) Geological Engineering, American Institute of Professional Geologists, Lone Tree, Colorado
94. Jay W. Richards, Ph.D. (Philosophy), Research Professor, Catholic University of America, Washington, DC
95. Robert J. Romano, D.Min. (Economic Ethics), Founder, Heartist Ministries; AIA Design-Build Architect, Charlotte, NC
96. Caleb Stewart Rossiter, Ph.D. (Policy Analysis), Adjunct Professor, American University, Washington, DC
97. Fred P. Rumak B.S. (Geology), P. Geo; CPG; P. Geol; Energy Consultant, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
98. James H. Rust, Ph.D. (Engineering), Professor of Nuclear Engineering (retired), Georgia Tech, Atlanta, GA; policy advisor, The Heartland Institute, Chicago, IL
99. Anthony J. Sadar, M.S. (Environmental Science, Air Pollution Control), Certified Consulting Meteorologist, Adjunct Associate Professor, Geneva College, Beaver Falls, PA
100. Daryl Sas, Ph.D. (Biology), Professor of Biology, Geneva College, Beaver Falls, PA
101. Mark R. Saucy Ph.D (Theology), Professor of Systematic Theology, Talbot School of Theology, La Mirada, CA
102. Richard L. Sauer, M.S. (Environmental Engineering), Col., U.S. Air Force Reserve (ret.), NASA (ret.), League City, TX
103. Herbert Schlossberg, Ph.D. (History), Fellow, Ethics and Public Policy Center, Washington, DC
104. Kelly Shackelford, J.D. (Law), President and CEO, First Liberty Institute, Plano, TX
105. Thomas P. Sheahen, Ph.D. (Physics), retired research scientist specializing in energy issues, formerly with several different national laboratories
106. David Shormann, Ph.D. (Aquatic Science), President, DIVE, LLC, Haleiwa, HI
107. Chris Skates, B.A. (Biology/Chemistry), former power plant chemist, writer, Adjunct Scholar, Cornwall Alliance for the Stewardship of Creation, Frankfort, KY
108. Buddy Smith, M.Div., Senior Vice President, American Family Association, Tupelo, MS
109. Willie Soon, Ph.D. (Aerospace Engineering), independent scientist, Cambridge, MA
110. Roy W. Spencer, Ph.D. (Meteorology), Principal Research Scientist, Earth System Science Center, University of Alabama, Huntsville, AL, and Lead Scientist, NASA Aqua AMSR-3 Satellite Remote Sensing Program
111. Larry H. Stallard, M.Div., Retired Pastor, Edgemont Presbyterian Church, Bristol, TN
112. Nicholas Stehle, B.A. (Political Science), CEO, The Stehle Organization; President, Campaign for America’s Future; Little Rock, AR
113. Frank Stevenson, J.D. (Law), retired President, NCF Title, Jacksonville, FL
114. Richard F. Storm, PE, CEM, retired engineer, Hilton Head, SC
115. Owen D. Strachan, Ph.D. (Theology), Professor, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Kansas City, MO
116. Kenneth G. Talbot, Ph.D., Th.D. (Divinity), President and Professor of Theology and Apologetics, Whitefield Theological Seminary and College; Pastor, Christ Presbyterian Church (RPCGA), Lakeland, FL
117. Timothy D. Terrell, Ph.D. (Economics), Associate Professor, Wofford College, Spartanburg, SC
118. David J. Theroux, M.S. (Mechanical Engineering), M.B.A. (Business Economics), Founder and President, Independent Institute, Oakland, CA
119. Joseph Touhill, Ph.D. (Environmental Engineering), P.E., DEE, F. AIChE, F.ASCE, President, Touhill Technology Management, Jamison, PA
120. Reverend Thomas Trouwborst, M.B.A., M.Div., Pastor, Calvary Orthodox Presbyterian Church, Glenside, PA
121. Gary Tuck, Ph.D., (Bible Exposition), Professor of Biblical Literature, Western Seminary, Los Gatos, CA
122. L. (Don) Veinot Jr., President, Midwest Christian Outreach, Inc., Wonder Lake, IL
123. Jeffery J. Ventrella, J.D., Ph.D. (Law), Senior Counsel, Alliance Defending Freedom, Scottsdale, AZ
124. James A. Wanliss, Ph.D. (Physics), Professor of Physics, Presbyterian College, Clinton, SC
125. Anthony Watts, American Meteorological Society-certified television and radio meteorologist (retired), owner of WattsUpwithThat.com, Chico, CA
126. David F. Wells, Ph.D (Theology), Distinguished Research Professor, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, South Hamilton, MA
127. Scott E. Williams, Ph.D. (Applied Mathematics), Monument, CO
128. Peter W. Wood, Ph.D. (Anthropology), President, National Association of Scholars, New York, NY
129. Thomas H. Wysmuller, B.A., Meteorologist, NASA (Ret.); Chair, Water Day 2013, UNESCO IHE Water Research Institute, Delft, The Netherlands; Chair, Oceanographic Section, 2016 World Congress of Ocean, Qingdao, China; NASA TRCS charter member, Ogunquit, ME
130. William Zmistowski, Jr., AIA, NCARB, IIDA, B.S. (Architecture, Land Planning, Urban Design, Environmental Design), International Design Consultant, Boulder, CO
131. Benjamin Zycher, Ph.D. (Economics), John G. Searle Chair, American Enterprise Institute, Washington, DC