June 05, 2018 09:07 AM UTC

Scott Pruitt, Who Called Global Warming a Hoax, to Speak in Denver Friday

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• by: Jason Salzman

(And the odds are pretty good that taxpayers are footing the bill — Promoted by Colorado Pols)

EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt will speak Friday at a gathering of conservatives in Denver, organizers announced this morning.

Pruitt will join fellow Trump cabinet member and Attorney General Jeff Sessions at the Western Conservative Summit (WCS), billed by organizers as “the largest gathering of conservatives outside of Washington D.C.”

WCS Chair Jeff Hunt said in a statement that he is “proud to announce” Pruitt’s attendance at the WCS. Hunt had hinted last week that another big name Trump official would be attending, but he could not provide details at the time due to security concerns.

“Administrator Pruitt has returned the EPA to its original intent of protecting the environment without unnecessarily restricting energy and business development in America,” wrote Hunt.

Pruitt has been repeatedly attacked by environmentalists for saying, among other things, that global warming is an international hoax.

In Salon, Amanda Marcotte, wrote that Pruitt is “doing everything in his power to destroy the importance of scientific evidence in the decision-making process at the agency tasked with protecting people’s air and water.”

Pruitt is under fire this week for allegedly asking aids to do personal tasks for him, including hunting for a used Trump hotel mattress, but better known allegations involve the use of private planes at taxpayer expense. He’s apologized for this.

Other notable speakers at the June 8-9 conference include Dana Loesch, spokesperson for the National Rifle Association; Kyle Kashuv, a survivor of the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting; Colorado gubernatorial candidates Greg Lopez, Victor Mitchell, Doug Robinson and Walker Stapleton; U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner (R-CO); and U.S. Rep. Ken Buck (R-CO);  U.S. Rep. Steve King (R-IA).

In addition to speeches, the conference includes 24 workshops and an expansive trade show.