"WASHINGTON — When Andrew Wheeler, president Trump’s nominee to lead the Environmental Protection Agency, testified before Senators on Wednesday at his confirmation hearing, he found himself walking a tightrope on the issue of climate change.

One of the most pointed moments came shortly after he told senators that climate change was not “the greatest crisis” facing our planet. Senator Jeff Merkley, Democrat of Oregon, then asked Mr. Wheeler, a former coal-industry lobbyist, to rate his level of concern on a scale of one to 10.

After a pause, Mr. Wheeler said, “about eight or nine.”"

Lisa Friedman reports for the New York Times January 16, 2019. [2]

SEE ALSO:

"At Confirmation Hearing, Trump’s EPA Pick Vows To Advance A Deregulatory Agenda" (Washington Post) [3]

"'Not The Greatest Crisis': Trump's EPA Pick Downplays Climate Threat" (Reuters) [4]

"Democrats Hit Trump EPA Nominee On Coal Lobbying, Rollbacks" (AP) [5]

"The Latest: Dem Says EPA’s Wheeler ‘As Extreme’ As Pruitt" (AP) [5]

"A Coal Baron’s Takeover of the EPA Is Nearly Complete" (New Republic) [6]

"Republicans Praise, Democrats Grill Andrew Wheeler In EPA Chief Confirmation Hearing" (NPR) [7]