Contact: Tim Cywinski, Communications Manager
(540) 272-5358, tim.cywinski@sierraclub.org
Richmond, Virginia– Governor-elect Youngkin announced today his nomination of Andrew Wheeler, former coal lobbyist and head of the Environmental Protection Agency under the Trump administration. As head of EPA, Wheeler oversaw unprecedented federal rollbacks of environmental protections related to air and water quality.
In response to the Wheeler nomination, Kate West, Director of the Sierra Club Virginia Chapter, issued the following statement:
“The incoming administration has an opportunity to signal who it will prioritize over the next four years — people or polluters. A Wheeler nomination is proof that Youngkin is willing to sell out our communities and our clean air and water for corporate profit.
Virginians can’t afford for public health to take a back seat to the interests of corporate polluters. We’ve come too far on climate action to allow a corrupt Trump crony and former coal lobbyist to be at the helm on our natural resources.
Youngkin can show he will be Governor for all Virginians by withdrawing this reckless nomination. In lieu of a withdrawal, Democrats must use their majority to prevent one of the most dangerous appointments in our state’s history. A vote for Andrew Wheeler is a vote against Virginian’s clean air, safe drinking water and sustainable energy.”
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At over 20,000 members strong, the Virginia Chapter of the Sierra Club advances climate action and environmental justice by coordinating action to promote clean energy solutions and oppose projects and policies that put the interests of corporate polluters above the needs of communities. For more information, visit http://www.sierraclub.org/virginia