WASHINGTON - The Senate voted to confirm Andrew Wheeler for the post of Deputy Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency this afternoon. A long-time fossil fuel lobbyist with a record of climate denial, Wheeler is a likely successor if Scott Pruitt is fired or resigns.

Lukas Ross, Climate and Energy Campaigner at Friends of the Earth, issued the following statement:

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The Senate just handed polluters a giant victory at the expense of people and the planet. No Democrat should have ever voted for this toxic nominee.

Andrew Wheeler is Big Oil’s backup plan in case Scott Pruitt finally drowns in his own corruption. Wheeler will continue the Trump-Pruitt agenda of fossil fuel worship and corporate favoritism. As Scott Pruitt stumbles from scandal to scandal, there is nothing more dangerous than a dirty energy lobbyist waiting in the wings to become acting Administrator.

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