Washington, April 18 (RHC)-- The U.S. Senate has approved a former coal industry lobbyist to become second-in-command at the Environmental Protection Agency.  Andrew Wheeler, who’s worked for nearly a decade on behalf of fossil fuel companies, including the coal company Murray Energy, was approved in a 53-45 vote along party lines. 

Andrew Wheeler has also worked as a senior adviser to Republican Senator James Inhofe, a prominent climate change denier.  Wheeler’s confirmation comes as President Trump is under pressure to fire EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt over a series of ethics scandals—meaning Wheeler could assume control over the EPA if Pruitt is ousted.