On Jan. 16, the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee held a confirmation hearing for acting EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler, who President Trump nominated on Jan. 9 to head the agency. Wheeler has served as Acting Administrator since July 2018, when then-Administrator Scott Pruitt resigned.
Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY), Chair of the Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, made complimentary remarks at the hearing and praising several actions taken by Wheeler, including efforts he has led to issue “common-sense regulatory proposals like the Affordable Clean Energy Rule and the revised definition of the Waters of the US (WOTUS) rule,” and has vowed to work with committee members to vet the former coal lobbyist.
Ranking Member Tom Carper (D-Del.), while noting Wheeler’s ability to work with both sides of the aisle, as well as the fact that he is not ethically-challenged, pointed out several concerns he has in his opening statement, including “forgotten promises,” such as removal of legal underpinnings of the Mercury and Air Toxics standards and striking a deal between automobile makers and the state of California on fuel economy and greenhouse gas standards. He also emphasized his feeling that he believes the President’s priority right now should not be promoting Wheeler – instead it should be reopening EPA.
During the hearing, Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) pressed Wheeler repeatedly on climate change, while new committee member Senator Mike Braun (R-IN) asked him about the current status of the rewrite of the WOTUS rule. He explained that farmers in his state are particularly concerned there will be a delay due to the shutdown. In general, the agriculture industry objected to Obama’s version of the rule, and its definition of what classifies as a body of water. Wheeler responded that despite the shutdown, the rule is still expected to be rewritten by the end of the year. (Bloomberg BNA, 1/16/19)
Wheeler was narrowly confirmed for his current job as EPA’s Deputy Administrator last April, amid complaints from Democrats and environmentalists that his former job as a coal lobbyist could pose conflicts at the agency. Wheeler has again vowed to steer clear of decisions affecting former clients.
Upon receiving the nominations, Wheeler said in a statement, “I am honored and grateful that President Trump has nominated me to lead the Environmental Protection Agency. For me, there is no greater responsibility than protecting human health and the environment, and I look forward to carrying out this essential task on behalf of the American public.”
Click here to watch an archived webcast of the hearing.
