By — Ellen Knickmeyer, Associated Press Ellen Knickmeyer, Associated Press Leave a comment 0comments Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/trump-to-nominate-andrew-wheeler-as-permanent-epa-head Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Trump to nominate Andrew Wheeler as permanent EPA head Politics Nov 16, 2018 2:42 PM EST WASHINGTON — Andrew Wheeler, a former lobbyist who has led the Environmental Protection Agency since his scandal-plagued predecessor resigned earlier this year, got President Donald Trump’s nod Friday for the permanent job. Trump made the announcement almost in passing at a White House ceremony for Presidential Medal of Freedom honorees. Singling out Cabinet members in the audience at the ceremony, Trump got to Wheeler, “acting administrator, who I will tell you is going to be made permanent.” “He’s done a fantastic job and I want to congratulate him, EPA, Andrew Wheeler. Where’s Andrew?” Trump continued. “Congratulations, Andrew, great job, great job, thank you very much.” READ MORE: Who is Andrew Wheeler, the acting EPA administrator? Wheeler has served as the EPA’s acting head since July, when then-EPA administrator Scott Pruitt resigned amid ethics scandals. A former lobbyist for coal and other industries, Wheeler has a reputation as a methodical steward of the Trump administration’s deregulatory mission. Wheeler was confirmed by the Senate 53-45 as the agency’s deputy administrator last April. By — Ellen Knickmeyer, Associated Press Ellen Knickmeyer, Associated Press
WASHINGTON — Andrew Wheeler, a former lobbyist who has led the Environmental Protection Agency since his scandal-plagued predecessor resigned earlier this year, got President Donald Trump’s nod Friday for the permanent job. Trump made the announcement almost in passing at a White House ceremony for Presidential Medal of Freedom honorees. Singling out Cabinet members in the audience at the ceremony, Trump got to Wheeler, “acting administrator, who I will tell you is going to be made permanent.” “He’s done a fantastic job and I want to congratulate him, EPA, Andrew Wheeler. Where’s Andrew?” Trump continued. “Congratulations, Andrew, great job, great job, thank you very much.” READ MORE: Who is Andrew Wheeler, the acting EPA administrator? Wheeler has served as the EPA’s acting head since July, when then-EPA administrator Scott Pruitt resigned amid ethics scandals. A former lobbyist for coal and other industries, Wheeler has a reputation as a methodical steward of the Trump administration’s deregulatory mission. Wheeler was confirmed by the Senate 53-45 as the agency’s deputy administrator last April.