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Acting EPA Chief Expected to Carry Out Deregulation

by Ken Schwartz

   President Donald Trump says he has "no doubt" the new acting chief of
   the Environmental Protection Agency, Andrew Wheeler, will continue with
   "our great and lasting EPA agenda."

   But environmentalists and some Democrats are already saying they are
   afraid that's exactly what he will do -- keep Scott Pruitt's policy of
   deregulation.

   The Ohio-born Wheeler is a former lawyer and longtime coal industry
   lobbyist.

   He is also a former chief of staff for Oklahoma Republican Senator
   James Inhofe -- one of the country's most vocal deniers of climate
   change.

   In addition, Wheeler is a critic of those who say human activity is
   causing the Earth to get warmer.

   "We have to restore public trust in the EPA and let the agency fulfill
   its mission rather than gut the laws that keep our families safe,"
   Sierra Club Executive Director Michael Brune said.

   But a former Wheeler colleague turned oil and gas lobbyist, Matthew
   Dempsey, told The New York Times that Wheeler is well-qualified to at
   least temporarily take over the EPA.

   "Andrew is one of the most well-known, well-respected policy
   professionals in Washington on energy and environment. He knows
   everybody," Dempsey said.

   Wheeler will officially take over the agency Monday as Trump considers
   whom he will nominate as his next EPA chief.

   Wheeler has said in the past that he would not be interested in running
   the EPA permanently.