Erin Kelly

USA TODAY

WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald Trump's nominee to head the Environmental Protection Agency said Wednesday he does not agree with Trump's statements that climate change is a hoax, but he stopped short of saying that human activity is the main culprit or that the U.S. must reduce its use of fossil fuels to solve the problem.

Scott Pruitt, who has sued the EPA a total of 14 times as Oklahoma attorney general, said he believes that climate change is real, despite comments from Trump over the years — including during his presidential campaign — that climate change was a hoax perpetuated by the Chinese to reduce the competitiveness of U.S. manufacturers.

"I do not believe that climate change is a hoax," Pruitt said in response to questions from Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.

However, when pressed later by Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., Pruitt would not say that human activity is the primary cause of climate change.

"Science tells us the climate is changing and human activity in some matter impacts that change," Pruitt said. "The ability to measure and pursue the degree and the extent of that impact and what to do about it are subject to continuing debate and dialogue."

NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced Wednesday that 2016 was the hottest year in recorded history, and said human activity is to blame.

Trump has often called climate change a hoax.

At a campaign rally in Hilton Head, S.C. in December 2015, Trump said: "Obama's talking about all of this with the global warming...a lot of it's a hoax. It's a hoax."

In a tweet on Nov. 6, 2012, Trump said, "The concept of global warming was created by and for the Chinese in order to make U.S. manufacturing non-competitive." He told Fox News in January 2016 that the tweet was a joke, but added that that climate change is "just a very, very expensive form of tax."

Most scientists believe that the burning of oil, gas and coal to generate power is the main factor creating climate change. Oil and natural gas are major industries in Oklahoma.

When Sanders asked Pruitt whether he believes the U.S. must transform its energy system away from fossil fuels to protect future generations from climate change, Pruitt said only, "I believe the EPA has a very important role in regulating the (carbon) emissions."

Pruitt also said he believes the EPA has a vital role to play in protecting public health and the environment despite comments from Trump during the presidential campaign that the EPA's work was "a disgrace."

"I believe there is a very important role for the Environmental Protection Agency," Pruitt testified.

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Sen. Tom Carper of Delaware, the senior Democrat on the committee, questioned what kind of environmental steward Pruitt would be when the president-elect has attacked the EPA and talked about wanting to get rid of part of the agency.

Pruitt said the EPA is crucial in enforcing clean air and water laws across state lines.

"We have made progress as a country, but we have work to do," Pruitt said.

Pruitt faced tough questioning as Democrats challenged his ties to polluting industries, his skepticism about the man-made causes of climate change and the frequent lawsuits he has filed to block the EPA's clean air and water rules.

Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., questioned at one point whether Pruitt was just giving senators vague, pleasant answers on controversial issues to get him through his confirmation hearing.

She said there was a contrast between Pruitt's comments as Oklahoma attorney general criticizing the federal renewable fuel standard and his promise during Wednesday's hearing to carry out that mandate. The renewable fuel standard requires gasoline used by cars and other vehicles to contain a certain amount of renewable fuels.

"Are you that Mr. Pruitt (who criticized the standard) or the Scott Pruitt today who is saying all the right things at his confirmation hearing?" Duckworth asked.

Environmental leaders say that Pruitt, if confirmed by the full Senate, would be the most hostile EPA administrator in the history of the agency, which was created in 1970 by former President Richard Nixon to protect human health and the environment.

Since being elected Oklahoma attorney general in 2010, Pruitt has devoted a great deal of energy to suing the agency he now wants to lead.

Pruitt joined a coalition of other state attorneys general to sue the EPA over its Clean Power Plan, which aims to reduce the emissions from coal-fired power plants that contribute to climate change. He also sued the agency over regulations to reduce methane emissions — also linked to climate change — from the oil and gas industry.

"Not a single American voted for dirtier air and drinking water, but if Mr. Pruitt takes the helm at the EPA, that’s what millions of Americans and thousands of communities will face," said Ken Cook, co-founder and president of the Environmental Working Group. "Every senator, regardless of party, should reject this nomination on behalf of their constituents’ health."

But Pruitt's supporters said he will help rein in an agency that has hurt farmers, ranchers and small businesses and the overall U.S. economy with burdensome and costly regulations.

Pruitt emphasized Wednesday that he has also sued oil companies for defrauding states out of millions of dollars by filing false statements to get insurance companies and taxpayers to double-pay them for cleaning up fuel that was leaking from underground storage tanks at gas stations.

Nearly 40 livestock associations signed a letter to Environment and Public Works Chairman John Barrasso, R-Wyo., and Carper urging Pruitt's confirmation.

"Attorney General Pruitt will bring a science-based, common sense approach to the EPA," said Elizabeth Harsh, executive director of the Ohio Cattlemen’s Association. "Mr. Pruitt understands the importance of reasonable policy that will translate into EPA regulations that protect the environment while improving America’s agriculture productivity."

Democrats also asked Pruitt about his financial ties to the oil, gas and coal industries, citing the fact that energy companies have given tens of thousands of dollars to two political action committees linked to Pruitt.

Trump's presidential transition team, announcing Pruitt's nomination last month, called the nominee "an expert in Constitutional law" and said he would reform "an out-of-control anti-energy agenda that has destroyed millions of jobs, while also undermining our incredible farmers and many other businesses and industries at every turn."

"The American people are tired of seeing billions of dollars drained from our economy due to unnecessary EPA regulations," Pruitt said in a statement. "I intend to run this agency in a way that fosters both responsible protection of the environment and freedom for American businesses."