Former+Coal+Lobbyist On+Tap+For+No.+2+Spot+At+EPA

Former Coal Lobbyist on Tap for No. 2 Spot at EPA National Public Radio (NPR) 17 March 2018. 21 March 2018 []

 ---, “Coal Plant” Youtube. 14 May 2013.

__Summary __ The article covers Trump’s nominee for another deputy administrator for the Environmental Protection Agency, Andrew Wheeler- a man known for fighting against a 2008 climate bill before becoming a lobbyist for coal. Wheeler is also known for lobbying for ethanol and “utility giant Xcel Energy;” related to his position as a coal lobbyist, EPA is currently trying to repeal the Clean Power Plan, which require utilities to switch to cleaner forms of energy. Although from multiple sources, it is unclear whether Wheeler will act on his industry interest and pull out of the Paris Climate Agreement, or act according to the officials advice.

__Relation to Class __ Recently, we have discussed the use of non-renewable energy versus renewable energy. Coal produces a lot of air pollution, from particulates to COx, SO2, NOx, toxic metals, and small amount of radioactive element, which is why we advocate for renewable sources for its reduced pollutants and nearly limitless supply (Miller 379, 400). To have a former coal lobbyist as an administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency would be ironic and disappointing as non-renewable sources pollute far much more than most renewable sources.

__My Opinion __ I believe that we shouldn’t let this happen; we should always take other views into account, but to have a coal lobbyist as a high position in the EPA would be terribly oxymoronic. We should try to actually protect the environment, and with the information we have on non-renewable sources, it’s a wonder why we don’t try harder already

__Law __ A related law would be the Pollution Prevention Act of 1990, which states that Congress declares that pollution should be prevented, and so on, but for this article is the part that applies the most. With the appointment of Wheeler, decisions such as pulling out of the Paris Climate Agreement and the Clean Power Act would allow industries to use polluting energy sources more freely. This should be combated with this law in order to prevent as much pollution as possible