Andrew Wheeler

Andrew Wheeler
Name	Andrew Wheeler
Birth date	1964
Birth place	__
Occupation	Attorney, lobbyist, government official
Employer	Environmental Protection Agency (former)

Andrew Wheeler Andrew Wheeler is an American attorney and former government official who served in senior roles related to environmental regulation and energy policy. He worked as a staffer and counsel for multiple legislative and executive offices, held positions at a major advocacy organization and a private law firm, and served in leadership at the Environmental Protection Agency during a presidential administration noted for deregulatory priorities. His career intersects with prominent institutions, legislation, and figures in contemporary United States environmental and energy policy.

Early life and education

Wheeler was born in 1964 and raised in the United States, attending primary and secondary schools before matriculating at institutions where he studied political science and law. He earned a bachelor's degree and later a Juris Doctor from universities that have produced many public officials and legal scholars. During his studies he participated in programs and associations tied to legislative internships, public policy, and legal clinics associated with major state and federal institutions.

Early career and Department of Justice work

After law school Wheeler began his career in litigation and public policy, working as an associate at a private law firm and later joining the staff of members of the United States House of Representatives. He served as general counsel and staff for committees and offices influenced by landmark legislation including acts managed by the House and Senate, and advised on rules, appropriations, and oversight matters concerning energy and natural resources. Wheeler subsequently joined the United States Department of Justice, where he worked in the Environment and Natural Resources Division and litigated cases involving statutes such as the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act, representing federal agencies in defenses before federal courts and interacting with appellate institutions including the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.

Environmental Protection Agency leadership

Wheeler joined the Environmental Protection Agency in senior roles after serving as staff for congressional committees and as counsel to senators and representatives with interests in mining, energy, and environmental issues. He later became Deputy Administrator and then Acting Administrator of the EPA, before being confirmed as Administrator by the United States Senate. In that capacity he oversaw agency offices responsible for air, water, waste, and chemical safety programs, coordinated with executive branch counterparts at the Office of Management and Budget and Council on Environmental Quality, and interacted with state environmental agencies and industry stakeholders including utilities, manufacturers, and mining companies.

Policy initiatives and regulatory actions

As a senior EPA official Wheeler advanced policy initiatives emphasizing reinterpretation of regulatory frameworks under statutes such as the Clean Air Act and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. The agency promulgated rules and guidance on emissions standards for power plants, revisions to fuel economy and ozone standards, and reinterpretations of policies concerning chemical risk under the Toxic Substances Control Act. His EPA rolled back or revised prior rules issued during the Obama administration on mercury and air toxics, carbon emissions from power plants, and Waters of the United States jurisdictional guidance, and issued replacement rules that affected energy sectors represented by organizations such as the American Petroleum Institute and the National Mining Association.

Controversies and ethics investigations

Wheeler's career included scrutiny over potential conflicts of interest and ethics compliance due to prior work as a lobbyist and counsel for energy clients, including firms in coal, oil, and manufacturing sectors. Ethics complaints and congressional oversight inquiries examined meetings, recusals, and adherence to post-employment restrictions administered by the Office of Government Ethics and the Department of Justice Office of Public Integrity. Investigations and press reports cited interactions with former clients, participation in rulemaking affecting companies represented by his prior employer, and questions raised during confirmation proceedings before the United States Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.

Post-administration activities and later career

After leaving the agency, Wheeler returned to private practice, consulting, and speaking engagements tied to environmental, energy, and regulatory policy, joining law firms and think tanks active in public policy debates. He engaged with trade associations, academic panels at universities, and industry conferences where former cabinet-level officials and regulatory experts convene, and provided commentary for media outlets covering federal rulemaking, litigation, and legislative developments related to air quality, water resources, and chemical safety. He remains a figure referenced in discussions about the revolving door between federal service and industry advocacy, alongside peers from multiple administrations.

Category:Administrators of the Environmental Protection Agency Category:American lawyers