State of Oklahoma Archives: on Environment
Chris Powell:
Fight EPA regulatory over-reach
Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Fight EPA regulatory over-reach"?
A: Support.
Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Oklahoma Governor candidate
May 15, 2018
Drew Edmondson:
As AG, created the Environmental Protection Unit
In 1996, Edmondson created the Environmental Protection Unit to provide agencies with specialized legal advice and representation on environmental issues.
Since then the unit has filed lawsuits and drafted numerous AG opinions on environmental issues, including biomedical waste, discarded tires, animal-feeding operations, groundwater use, county zoning authority, solid waste and wildlife issues.
Source: Tulsa World on 2018 Oklahoma gubernatorial race
Jan 9, 2011
Frank Keating:
Regulate our precious environment because we love Oklahoma
Hog and poultry industries are growing in our state, without the kind of pollution problems others have experienced, thanks to foresight and wise regulation. We enacted the strictest swine regulation bill in US history and the first of the nation's
poultry regulation bills. We understand the most precious thing we have is clear water and clear air. Our environment is exceedingly important as a quality of life issue for us, and we enacted these regulations, together, because we love Oklahoma.
Source: 2001 State of the State address to Oklahoma legislature
Feb 5, 2001
James Lankford:
Rural restrictions shows arrogance from city dwellers
It is essential to help negotiate trade agreements with markets around the world while protecting our farms and ranches from tariffs. Federal burdens like fuel tank storage restrictions, the endangered species act, grain storage inspections on family
farms, interstate farm truck rules, dust particulate regulations and youth labor restrictions show an arrogance of power from Federal officials who spend their life on concrete should not dictate to families who live their lives on the land.
The solution to over-regulation is to return oversight to the states. Government works best when it is local and accessible. The farther decisions are made from an individual, the more you are just a number, not a neighbor. We can all agree that federal
regulators moving into a neighborhood to tell our families that we cannot work together violates everything about our core American freedom and values. Continued uncertainty and central planning will stifle our economic development as a nation.
Source: 2021 Oklahoma Senate campaign website JamesLankford.com
Jun 21, 2021
Joe Maldonado:
Fight EPA regulatory over-reach
Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Fight EPA regulatory over-reach"?
A: Yes.
Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Oklahoma Governor candidate
May 15, 2018
Kevin Stine:
Eminent domain abused when it benefits private company
Wyden's support of the LNG gas pipeline is an abuse of the eminent domain process because it advances the interests of a private company rather than creating a project that serves the general public's interests, Stine said.
The Jordan Cove LNG project would start in Coos Bay, a 235-mile-long pipeline would traverse public and private lands in Jackson County and throughout Southern Oregon. A spokesman for Wyden could not be reached for comment.
Source: Medford Mail Tribune on 2016 Oklahoma Senate race
Sep 21, 2015
Mary Fallin:
Oklahoma Strong: Rebuild after devastating tornadoes
There was no greater challenge or hardship than the one we experienced last May, when a series of tornadoes swept across central Oklahoma.The loss of life--especially the loss of children--was devastating. I will never forget the unbearable grief
I saw when I met with mothers and fathers who had lost a child, or the scream of a woman who had just learned her husband had been killed.
But I will also never forget the brave and compassionate actions of so many of our citizens: men and women taking
complete strangers into their homes and offering them a place to sleep and a warm meal; Oklahomans, and even people from neighboring states, dropping everything to volunteer their time and resources to help the recovery effort.
Today we are rebuilding
and well on our way to recovery. Main Streets across central Oklahoma struck by tornadoes are once again thriving. We owe that success to our resilient, hardworking people. They are, as we say, Oklahoma Strong.
Source: 2014 State of the State address to Oklahoma legislature
Feb 3, 2014
Mick Cornett:
Great value in the EPA's "brownfields" cleaning up program
Cornett said the agency's [EPA's}"brownfields" program, which helps cities, states and Indian tribes clean up abandoned sites or community eyesores to prepare for redevelopment, has "made a remarkable difference in Oklahoma City." "We used brownfields
money to help close that gap. We had an environmental site along our river--which 60 years ago had been a city dump--and we were able to address the environmental needs there, and Dell Computers has built a campus with 1,500 employees," he said.
Source: The Oklahoman on 2018 Oklahoma gubernatorial race
Oct 20, 2011
Mike Workman:
Preserve and protect national parks
Q: Should national parks be preserved and protected by the federal government? Mike Workman: Yes
Q: Should the government give tax credits and subsidies to the wind power industry?
Mike Workman: Yes
Q: Should the U.S. expand offshore oil drilling?
Mike Workman: No
Source: iSideWith.com voter guide on 2016 Oklahoma Senate race
Aug 31, 2016
Mike Workman:
Increase the number of inspectors for asbestos
Workman submitted the following statement to Ballotpedia: "Workplace safety was not improved when the incumbent dealt with asbestos problems by cutting the number of inspectors in the Asbestos Abatement/Inspection Unit.
I would restore it to previous levels to protect working conditions and the safety of those using public and private buildings in Oklahoma."
Source: 2014 Ballotpedia statement for 2020 Oklahoma Senate race
Sep 23, 2014
Scott Pruitt:
As state AG sued to block Obama's Clean Power Plan
The EPA, under Obama's administration, had set a number of health milestones attainable by 2030--if the Clean Power Plan were implemented. Pruitt argued that Trump was "keeping a promise to the American people to roll back regulatory overreach."
He noted that the Clean Power Plan was subject to a stay by the Supreme Court; he did not mention that he, as former Oklahoma attorney general, was one of several Republicans who had originally filed the lawsuit against Obama's regulations.
Source: Washington Post on 2022 Oklahoma Senate race
Apr 3, 2017
T.W. Shannon:
Farmers, ranchers don't need EPA to tell them what to do
Holland said WOTUS (Waters of the US) had been a disaster for farmers because everything has to be regulated by the EPA, "anytime you have to deal with the government you have to ask so many people for permission, and it slows everything down, and you
may get to a point where they say you can't do it, even if it's your land, and that's not freedom. " Holland adds that no one cares more for the land than the farmers and ranchers, "and we don't need the EPA to tell us how to do it."
Source: Oklahoma Farm Report on 2022 Oklahoma Senate race
Mar 21, 2022
Gentner Drummond:
EPA's Risk Management Program engaged in egregious overreach
Attorney General Gentner Drummond said the EPA's proposed changes to its Risk Management Program would correct "an egregious overreach" from the Biden administration. Drummond said the Biden-era revisions were hostile to the
oil and gas industry. "Rolling back the risk management program rule is in the best interest of businesses and consumers," he said.
Source: KOSU.org on 2026 Oklahoma Gubernatorial race
Feb 24, 2026
Kevin Hern:
Signed on to reduce Renewable Fuel Standard obligations
More than 40 members of Congress on Sept. 9 sent a letter to U.S. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin urging the agency to reduce proposed Renewable Fuel Standard renewable volume obligations (RVOs) for 2026 and 2027, block reallocation of small refinery
exemption (SRE) volumes, and scrap plans to reduce the value of renewable identification numbers (RINs) for fuels made from imported feedstocks. The letter was signed by Kevin Hern, R-Okla.
Source: Biodiesel Magazineon 2026 Oklahoma Senate race
Sep 10, 2025
Alan Armstrong:
Encourage investment while protecting environment
[On Environmental Protection Agency]: "Companies are choosing to invest in our state because they know Oklahoma is committed to growth and getting projects built. Today's EPA action helps reinforce this advantage by bringing Oklahoma's air permitting
program up to date and providing greater certainty for businesses and job creators," said Sen. Armstrong. "It's great to see the EPA align with Oklahoma's focus on clear and certain rules that encourage investment while protecting the environment."
Source: Oklahoma Farm Report on 2026 Oklahoma Senate race
Jun 23, 2026
N`Kiyla Thomas:
Strengthen the Clean Water Act, hold polluters accountable
Environmental Protection: Clean water and clean air are non-negotiable.I will fight to:- Strengthen the Clean Water Act
-
Protect tribal water sovereignty
- Hold polluters accountable
- Invest in rural water infrastructure
Source: 2026 Oklahoma Senate campaign web JasmineForOK.com.com
Jun 25, 2026
N`Kiyla Thomas:
Strengthen the Clean Water Act; hold polluters accountable
Environmental Protection: Clean water and clean air are non-negotiable. I will fight to:- Strengthen the Clean Water Act
-
Protect tribal water sovereignty
- Hold polluters accountable
- Invest in rural water infrastructure
Source: 2026 Oklahoma Senate campaign website www.JasmineForOK.com
Aug 27, 2026
Cyndi Munson:
Opposes aluminum smelter, in Inola or anywhere in state
Q: How do your environmental economic stances such as opposing the Inola aluminum smelter align with the needs of green country workers?Cyndi Munson: "I stand with the people of Inola. I voted against a $250 million tax giveaway back in 2025. I could
have never imagined it would be this much of a conversation in the governor's race. My concern back then was what I have now: the environmental impacts [around land contamination, water and air are] real challenges when we think about the future of our
state. And it goes back to, where are we prioritizing our investments. We do need more jobs. We do need better economic opportunities, but there's a whole host of industries and supporting local small businesses. As governor, my plan is to completely
stop the Inola smelter. I have no interest in the aluminum smelter being in Oklahoma."
Oklahoma Republican Governor candidate Mike Mazzei currently supports the proposed $4 billion Aluminum Smelter in Inola [after] he first criticized the smelter.
Source: Public Radio Tulsa (NPR News) on 2026 Oklahoma Governor race
Sep 18, 2026
Mike Mazzei:
Supports Inola aluminum smelter, for jobs & financial boon
Q: How do your environmental economic stances such as opposing the Inola aluminum smelter align with the needs of green country workers and communities?Cyndi Munson: "I stand with the people of Inola. As governor, my plan is to completely stop the
Inola smelter. I have no interest in the aluminum smelter being in Oklahoma."
Oklahoma Republican Governor candidate Mike Mazzei currently supports the proposed $4 billion Aluminum Smelter in Inola. He first criticized the smelter - mainly
the state's tax incentives for the project and that Oklahoma Primary Aluminum is majority-owned by a company based in the United Arab Emirates, He later changed his position - shortly after being endorsed for Oklahoma's next governor by
President Donald Trump - stating he did more "homework" and learned about the total potential jobs and financial boons it would bring to the state. He now strongly supports it.
Source: Public Radio Tulsa (NPR News) on 2026 Oklahoma Governor race
Sep 18, 2026
Page last updated: Oct 18, 2026