Andrew Wheeler, a former congressional aide and lobbyist who has led the Environmental Protection Agency since his scandal-plagued predecessor resigned earlier this year, got President Donald Trump's nod Friday for the permanent job.
Wheeler's promotion from acting to permanent EPA chief would keep him as a methodical and effective agent in Trump's mission of rolling back environmental regulations that the administration regards as burdensome to business.
Environmental groups quickly voiced their opposition.
Trump announced his plans for Wheeler almost in passing Friday at a White House ceremony for Presidential Medal of Freedom honorees.
Singling out Cabinet members in the audience at the ceremony, Trump got to Wheeler and said, "acting administrator, who I will tell you is going to be made permanent".
"He's done a fantastic job and I want to congratulate him, EPA, Andrew Wheeler. Where's Andrew?" Trump continued. "Congratulations, Andrew, great job, great job, thank you very much."
"The perfect choice to lead the EPA," Inhofe tweeted Friday. "Great pick."
"If the president intends to nominate Andrew Wheeler to be the administrator of EPA, then Mr Wheeler must come before our committee so that members can look at his record as acting administrator objectively to see if any improvements have been made at the agency since he took the helm."
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