EPA Aims to Fill Out Bare-Bones Permanent Staff

Scott Pruitt is beginning to fill out a leadership staff at the EPA as the agency prepares to advance a likely controversial agenda.

The Environmental Protection Agency is currently operating with a small cadre of officials at the helm, but new administrator Pruitt is angling to bring aboard more top-level personnel soon, EPA staff, a range of former officials and a Republican attorney said.

Pruitt has so far tapped at least two officials to fill influential slots that don’t require Senate confirmation. But more appointees that don’t require confirmation, such as the chiefs of the Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental ...