The Senate on Thursday confirmed Andrew Wheeler, a former coal lobbyist, as the next administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. The vote, 52-47, went along party lines as every Democrat voted against the new EPA leader, who previously served as the agency’s deputy administrator. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) was the only Republican to vote against Wheeler, saying in a statement Wednesday she did not support his record of backing policies that weaken pollution and car emissions protections. “The policies he has supported as acting administrator are not in the best interest of our environment and public health, particularly given the threat of climate change to our nation,” said Collins.
