"President-elect Donald Trump's choice to lead the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency expressed doubt about the science behind global climate change during a contentious Senate confirmation hearing on Wednesday, but added he would be obliged for now to uphold the EPA's finding carbon dioxide poses a public danger.

Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt, 48, sued the agency he intends to run more than a dozen times on behalf of his state. This earned him strong support from petroleum companies and convinced both his opponents and supporters that he would aggressively carry out Trump's campaign vows to slash EPA regulation to boost drilling and mining.

'Science tells us that the climate is changing, and that human activity, in some manner, impacts that change," Pruitt said during the hearing in front of the Environment and Public Works Committee. "The ability to measure with precision the degree and extent of that impact, and what to do about it, are subject to continuing debate and dialogue.'"

Valerie Volcovici and Timothy Gardner report for Reuters January 18, 2017.

SEE ALSO:

"Scott Pruitt, Testifying to Lead E.P.A., Criticizes Environmental Rules" (New York Times)

"In Scott Pruitt Hearing, Flint Water Crisis Emerges As Gop Wedge Against Obama EPA" (Washington Post)

"EPA Nominee Scott Pruitt Won’t Say If He Would Recuse Himself From His Own Lawsuits Against The Agency" (Washington Post)

"Trump EPA Pick Says Backs Biofuels Program, But Open To Tweaks" (Reuters)

"Democratic Attorneys General Urge Rejection Of Trump's EPA Nominee" (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

"Nominee To Lead EPA Testifies He'll Enforce Environmental Laws" (NPR)

"The Trump Administration's Conflicts of Interest: Scott Pruitt Edition" (Atlantic)

"Five Takeaways From Pruitt's EPA Hearing" (The Hill)

"Trump's EPA Pick Casts Doubt On California's Power To Regulate Auto Emissions" (Los Angeles Times)

"Trump's EPA Pick: Human Impact On Climate Change Needs More Debate" (CNN)

