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Before leading EPA under former President Trump, Wheeler was a lobbyist for fossil fuel interests with Faegre Baker Daniels. One of his biggest clients was Murray Energy, a coal company that paid millions in fines and penalties for contaminating waterways with coal slurry and discharge during the time Wheeler was its lobbyist. Simultaneously, Wheeler also served as the Vice President of the Washington Coal Club, a national coal industry interest group.
In his private capacity, he recently testified against a proposed 5-cent tax on disposal of plastic bags in Fairfax County, a policy FACS worked hard to pass.
What is Andrew Wheeler’s record while at the EPA? Here’s a non-exhaustive list of his actions and decisions:
Wheeler is a climate change skeptic. In his confirmation hearing for the EPA, he stated “I believe that man has an impact on the climate, but what’s not completely understood is what the impact is.”
He has said that CO2 is not a “real pollutant” and supported President Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Paris climate accord.
Governor Youngkin has nominated radical, former Trump EPA Administrator and coal lobbyist Andrew Wheeler to be Virginia’s next Secretary of Natural Resources. We need a massive mobilization to defeat Wheeler’s nomination. That means we need you, your friends and family to make their voices heard. So, after you contact your state senator, ask your friends and family to do the same.
A governor deserves to pick his team, but Governor Youngkin’s choice of Andrew Wheeler is an attack on the climate and energy progress that FACS and others have worked hard to achieve. This nomination sends a dark signal about his intentions in the next four years. That’s why we must stand up now and defeat his nomination.
FACS is nonpartisan. Republicans and Democrats have participated in our Climate Crisis Forums. We would never support a candidate for elected office. But nominations are fair game. FACS has never opposed a nomination before, but Andrew Wheeler is simply too dangerous to ignore.
You can still write a letter and send it to Governor-Elect Glenn Youngkin directly! His email is info@youngkingovernor.org
Let us know you've sent a letter by giving us a quick email at info@faithforclimate.org
Check out FACS' Social Media Toolkit and get involved!