EDF Action Thanks Virginia Senate for Blocking Andrew Wheeler Nomination as Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources

(Washington, D.C. – February 8, 2022) Today, the Virginia Senate declined to take up the nomination of former Environmental Protection Agency administrator and coal lobbyist, Andrew Wheeler, as Virginia Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources, the only nomination blocked by the Committee during this session.

“Andrew Wheeler’s damaging record at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has already proven that he is unqualified to serve as Virginia’s Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources, despite recent attempts to rewrite his own history.

“Mr. Wheeler did real damage to longstanding environmental protections while at EPA, instituting measures that are far outside the bipartisan mainstream and out of step with a majority of Virginians who want to see meaningful action on climate change. The Senate’s action is the right one and opens the door for a nominee who will truly protect the commonwealth’s air, water and land. Virginians can afford nothing less, and we stand ready to work with the next Secretary on critical environmental priorities, including the reduction of harmful greenhouse gas emissions as well as flood resilience,” said EDF Action Virginia Director, Mandy Warner.