EPA's Wehrum Steps Down Amid Scrutiny Over Possible Ethics Violations

"Bill Wehrum, a top Environmental Protection Agency official who helped reverse Obama-era rules aimed at cutting emissions of greenhouse gases and other air pollutants, is stepping down amid scrutiny over possible violations of federal ethics rules.

EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler’s announcement Wednesday did not cite a specific reason for the departure of Wehrum, who as an attorney represented power companies seeking to scale back several air pollution rules before joining the Trump administration.

“While I have known of Bill’s desire to leave at the end of this month for quite sometime, the date has still come too soon,” Wheeler wrote Wednesday, praising Wehrum for “his service, his dedication to his job, the leadership he provided to his staff and the agency, and for his friendship.”"

Juliet Eilperin and Brady Dennis report for the Washington Post June 26, 2019.

SEE ALSO:

"EPA's Air Pollution Chief Steps Down After Ethics Probe Raises New Questions" (Politico)

"Questions Abound As Wehrum Heads For The Exit" (Greenwire)

"Bill Wehrum, an Architect of Trump Administration’s Pro-Coal Rules, to Leave E.P.A." (New York Times)

"As Trump Dismantles Clean Air Rules, an Industry Lawyer Delivers for Ex-Clients" (New York Times)

"Senior EPA Official Steps Down Amid House Ethics Probe" (AP)

"EPA Air Chief Quits" (Greenwire)

"EPA Air Chief Bill Wehrum Abruptly Departs Amid Ethics Probe" (HuffPost)

"Senior EPA Official Overseeing Emissions Rules Resigns" (Reuters)

"Wehrum Resigns from EPA, Leaving Climate Rule Rollbacks in His Wake" (InsideClimate News)

 

Source: Washington Post, 06/27/2019