Tom Carper

It is time to really put our hands together and figure out how to modernize some of these policies.

Strong, long term certain standards are critical, and the more that industry can look out, can make those plans, again, not just the automakers, but the suppliers, the better.

Saying that you have to do so for the good of the American economy is just blatantly false.

History shows that cleaner air is also good for business.

The Diesel Emission Reduction Act, DERA, is one of my favorite pieces of legislation.

Could any of these bills before us be improved upon to ensure we continue to meet the public health benefits of the original regulation while also giving industry a little more flexibility to comply than was maybe initially provided?

Do you believe that climate change is occurring that has caused temperatures to rise over the past 30 years or so and that it is primarily caused by human beings?

I believe the folks who are actually doing the outreach try to do so in a thoughtful way and to try to respond to comments they heard.

Before I do that, Mr. Wheeler, I don't know if you were with me and maybe George Voinovich in a meeting...

One of the things we always tried to teach our Scouts was that we had an obligation to this planet.

It is possible to actually make the air and water cleaner, preserve our natural resources, and do so in a way that does not diminish jobs or employment but actually enhances it.

I think having worked in the agency, he actually cares about the environment, the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the planet on which we live.

The nominee to carry on this important work must be someone who can build alliances, someone who can work with Congress and be a credible leader.

We have an Administration, Mr. Chairman, that has basically said to heads of various agencies they don't have to respond to oversight inquiries from anybody except the Chairman of a committee.

The leaders of every country in the world, except for the current President of the United States, accept climate science and are committed to do something about it.

Well, for good or for bad, I am not Barbara Boxer.

I look forward to the day when Scott Pruitt, the head of the EPA, comes and testifies before us again.

That is the way it has always worked, whether you have a Democrat or Republican President.

During your time there, you found the EPA career staff are dedicated employees who want to make a difference with their lives on behalf of other people on the planet on which we live.

Today, this week, representatives I think from every country in the world are gathered in Bonn, Germany, discussing how we can address climate change together.

I want to work together, and I want to get things done, and I want reasonable responses to the two-thirds of requests we have made.

I would like to know if Mr. Wheeler can leave his clients and his conflicts of interest behind him and start over with the interests of the country as his No. 1 priority.

Someone who claims that 'there are no major environmental problems' facing our country has no business developing and implementing environmental policy at a time when our nation is facing the greatest environmental threats as ever…

What makes it more streamlined? What makes it more efficient? What makes it, most importantly, more effective?

Everything I do, I know I can do better, and if it is not perfect, make it better.