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Senate Approves Former Coal Lobbyist as EPA’s Second-in-Command

HeadlineApr 13, 2018

The Senate has approved a former coal industry lobbyist to become second-in-command at the Environmental Protection Agency. Andrew Wheeler, who’s worked for nearly a decade on behalf of fossil fuel companies, including the coal company Murray Energy, was approved in a 53-45 vote along party lines. Wheeler has also worked as a senior adviser to Republican Senator James Inhofe, a prominent climate change denier. Wheeler’s confirmation comes as President Trump is under pressure to fire EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt over a series of ethics scandals—meaning Wheeler could assume control over the EPA if Pruitt is ousted.

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