Environment America statement on Andrew Wheeler’s initial appearance as interim chief of the Environmental Protection Agency

Environment America

Today, the Environmental Protection Agency’s Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler made his first appearance on Capitol Hill in his current position. Environment America’s environmental defense campaign director Christy Leavitt made this statement:

“We are greatly relieved to have an EPA chief discuss policy matters rather than the endless ethical questions that plagued former EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt. But while we appreciated the important policy discussions, Acting Administrator Wheeler’s answers were largely unsatisfactory on issues ranging from clean car standards to Clean Water Act enforcement.

“The Acting Administrator will need to demonstrate his commitment not only to a strong economy — a highlight of his opening statement — but also to the EPA’s core mission of protecting Americans’ health, as well as the land, air and water that affect them.

“Acting Administrator Wheeler promised a more transparent process moving forward. The proof, however will be in actions, not words.”