By Rich Heidorn Jr.
The Senate on Thursday confirmed former coal lobbyist Andrew Wheeler as EPA administrator on a 52-47 vote.
Wheeler, who has been serving as acting administrator since the July resignation of Scott Pruitt, was supported by all but one Republican, Susan Collins (Maine).
Collins criticized Wheeler’s efforts to replace the Obama administration’s Clean Power Plan and weaken air emission standards for vehicles.
“These efforts are of great importance to the state of Maine, which is located at the end of our nation’s ‘air pollution tailpipe’ and is on the receiving end of pollution generated by coal-fired power plants in other states,” Collins said in a statement. “Moreover, there is no doubt that the greenhouse gas emissions driving climate change pose a significant threat to our state’s economy and our natural resources, from our working forests, fishing and agricultural industries, to tourism and recreation.”
Collins also cited EPA’s determination that it is no longer “appropriate and necessary” to regulate mercury emissions from power plants. “Controls for mercury, one of the most persistent and dangerous pollutants, are especially important for children and pregnant women,” she said. “The agency’s recent efforts to halt progress in these critical areas takes us in the wrong direction.”
Other Republicans and business groups, however, praised Wheeler for continuing Pruitt’s work undoing regulations they contend were strangling industry.
“I believe he will do an excellent job leading the agency,” said Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), chair of the Environment and Public Works Committee. “As acting administrator of EPA, he has prioritized commonsense policies that protect our air and water, while allowing our economy to grow.”
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), chair of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, said she supported Wheeler because “he has proven himself during his tenure as acting EPA administrator as a leader who hears and takes seriously the concerns of Alaskans.”
“Regulatory certainty has been key to the historic manufacturing job growth we’ve seen under the current administration, and that would not have been possible without Andrew’s leadership at EPA,” said Jay Timmons, CEO of the National Association of Manufacturers.
Democrats and environmental groups blasted Wheeler’s appointment.
“At this moment of growing harm from climate change, appointing someone to lead the EPA who has vigorously opposed our efforts to reduce carbon pollution … would be like putting the Monopoly Man in charge of regulating big banks,” Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) said.
“As a former fossil fuel lobbyist, he consistently worked against the public interest to advance an anti-environment agenda and dismantle many hard-won climate change programs,” Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) said.
“As administrator, we expect he will continue doing the bidding of the polluters he used to represent,” said John Bowman, senior director of federal affairs for the Natural Resources Defense Council. “And what he can expect from us, and many others, is a wall of opposition and legal challenges to stop this dangerous agenda.”
At his confirmation hearing before Murkowski’s committee on Jan. 16, Republicans praised Wheeler’s nearly two decades of experience at EPA and on the committee staff. Wheeler began his career at the agency during the George H.W. Bush administration and later served as staff director and chief counsel to Republicans on the committee.
Several Democrats credited him for being more responsive to their offices than Pruitt. But they were frustrated by his tepid comments on climate change. (See Dems Press EPA’s Wheeler on Climate at Confirmation Hearing.)
