Andrew Wheeler EPA Signals Big Industry Is Back in Charge
President Donald Trump always finds ways to ruffle feathers. This time, it’s the environmental lobby that’s up in arms. Trump has just named Andrew Wheeler Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Deputy Administrator, much to the chagrin of “greenheads” everywhere. We can still hear heads exploding at Sierra Club headquarters.
The aforementioned Sierra Club has been quite vocal in its opposition. Perhaps America’s biggest and best-known environmental organization is none too happy with the candidate. They call Wheeler’s nomination, which is subject to Senate confirmation, “absolutely horrifying”, worrying that Wheeler’s coal lobbying experience will lead to looser environmental standards. (Source: “Trump picks coal lobbyist for EPA deputy role, drawing mixed reaction,” Reuters, October 5, 2017.)
Wheeler’s nomination promises to spark some fireworks and extreme vetting in the Senate. The green Democrats will have a field day not simply because Wheeler was a prominent coal lobbyist, but because bashing Wheeler is another way to take potshots at Trump.
In truth, anyone Trump nominates–from Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin to conservative Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch–has received stiff opposition. But a coal lobbyist as Deputy Administrator of an agency which is supposed to protect the environment is a little rich.
However, during Senate confirmation hearings, Wheeler will have one prominent Senator in his corner: environmental dove John Barrasso (R-WY), the current Chairperson of the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. Barrasso’s past stances include outspoken contrarian opinions on climate change, stating that “the climate is constantly changing.”
Coal miners everywhere are rejoicing.
Andrew Wheeler Coal Lobbyist
Wheeler is co-leader of international law firm Faegre Baker Daniels LLC’s energy and natural resources practice. Since 2009, he has represented and lobbied on behalf of Murray Energy Corp., a privately held coal producer who’s CEO has close ties to President Trump.
Not surprisingly, some members of the coal industry greeted Wheeler’s nomination receptively. Paul Bailey, the president and CEO of the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity, called him “extraordinarily qualified.” (Source: “Trump Picks Coal Lobbyist to Help Lead EPA,” Scientific American, October 6, 2017.)
(Source: “Climate Change Indicators: Atmospheric Concentrations of Greenhouse Gases,” United States Environmental Protection Agency, last accessed October 6, 2017.)
Clean Power Plan Trump Repeal
Recent reports are circulating that the EPA plans on eliminating Obama’s Clean Power Plan (CPP) entirely.
A 43-page document titled Repeal of Carbon Pollution Emission Guidelines for Existing Stations Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units, obtained by media powerhouse Breitbart, details how the EPA plans to repeal CPP through a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM).
The proposal is subject to review, but considering how Trump is stacking the organization with environmental doves, fewer restrictions is the way the administration wants to go. (Source: “Exclusive: PA Document Proposes to Eliminate Clean Power Plan ‘in Its Entirety,’” Breitbart, October 6, 2017.)
The appointment of Andrew Wheeler would add another such proponent to the mix.
Andrew Wheeler EPA
What might the Environmental Protection Agency look like under Deputy Administrator Andrew Wheeler? I would expect less “protection” and more “agency,” as in agency assistance for carbon-emitting energy sources like coal.
This isn’t just speculation on our part. Given Trump’s withdrawal from the Paris Accord despite massive political pressure and his rollbacks on regulations regarding the Dakota Access Pipeline, I’d say it’s clearly established Trump is pro-industry on environmental issues. The Andrew Wheeler-Trump nexus is just getting started.
It will be interesting to see how much blowback occurs during Senate confirmation hearings. If it’s anything like what we’ve seen already, it will be fierce.