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April 13, 2018

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