Coal Lobbyist Andrew Wheeler Nominated to Be Second-In-Command at EPA
Statement of EDF Action President Elizabeth Thompson – October 5, 2017
Contact:
“President Trump today nominated well-known coal lobbyist Andrew Wheeler to be the second-in-command of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It’s a choice that is every bit as jaw-droppingly inappropriate as Scott Pruitt, his choice for the top job.
“Wheeler was a registered lobbyist for Murray Energy from 2009 until this August. Murray Energy is the country’s largest coal mining conglomerate. It has been fined for safety violations and has repeatedly sued EPA to block protections against dangerous pollution.
“The top two leaders at EPA may end up being people who have devoted their careers to opposing the agency and everything it stands for. We can only presume that President Trump wants EPA to fail – and has nominated this top coal lobbyist to help make it happen.”
- Elizabeth Thompson, President, EDF Action
