Washington (CNN) In his first public appearance since taking over as the acting head of the Environmental Protection Agency, Andrew Wheeler told employees gathered at agency headquarters Wednesday that he was "proud" of his work as a coal industry lobbyist.

Wheeler, who took the agency's helm on Monday, spoke to employees and the media in an open forum, but made no mention of the ethical cloud that led to the resignation of his predecessor, Scott Pruitt. He cast himself as interested in listening to agency scientists and staffers, a gripe many had voiced about Pruitt.

But while the agency leadership has changed, Wheeler said he will continue President Donald Trump's agenda, including cutting regulations and streamlining agency practices.

Wheeler noted his career began at the EPA under the George H.W. Bush and Clinton administrations, and he spoke passionately about his lobbying work, where his clients included the coal company Murray Energy.

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