The EPA’s Mission to Destroy the Environment Takes a Turn, But Is It for the Better?

Andrew Wheeler during his confirmation hearing to be Deputy Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency before the United States Senate Committee on the Environment and Public Works on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. on November 8th, 2017. Credit: Alex Edelman / CNP – NO WIRE SERVICE – Photo by: Alex Edelman/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images

As one can imagine, there is much rejoicing about Scott Pruitt’s resignation as administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.  The main issue here, however, is that Andrew Wheeler, until today the second-in-command at the EPA, is now its acting administrator, and he’s just as bad as the ultra-corrupt menace to civilization whom he just replaced.  

Also, Wheeler, former lobbyist for the coal industry, is far too smart and seasoned to get himself enmeshed in scandals; he’s a low-key insider with years of Washington experience in the art of pursuing policy change while flying under the radar.

What public policy change, you ask?  Trump has given marching orders to the EPA, directing the agency to weaken or delay implementation of a variety of air pollution regulations, several of which have been priorities for industries for which Mr. Wheeler has lobbied in the past.  Also, according to Forbes, Wheeler has worked in the EPA for nearly two decades, as well as serving as an advisor to Senator James Inhofe (R-Okla.), a fierce critic of climate protection policy.

If this meant the end to the all-out attack on the environment represented by the Trump administration, I’m sure we’d all be partying like rock stars, but sadly, that’s not the case.