President Trump to nominate former coal lobbyist Andrew Wheeler as head of Environmental Protection Agency

Jack Gruber, Jack Gruber-USA TODAY NETWORK

President Donald Trump said Friday he plans to nominate acting EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler as the permanent head of the environmental agency.

"He’s done a fantastic job and I want to congratulate him," Trump said about Wheeler during a Presidential Medal of Freedom ceremony in the East Room of the White House. Wheeler was in the audience attending the event when the president made the announcement.

"Congratulations, Andrew," Trump said, as a casual aside during the formal ceremony. "Great job.”

Wheeler, a former EPA bureaucrat, Capitol Hill aide and energy lobbyist known for his low-key manner, was named acting administrator in July after the ouster of his embattled predecessor Scott Pruitt. At the time, Wheeler was Pruitt's deputy.

Wheeler still must be confirmed by the Senate before he can be the EPA's permanent chief.

USA Today

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