Something unusual happened today...The EPA let me inside the HQ, first time I've been here since the Trump Administration started. Acting administrator Wheeler is about to give a welcome to employees in the famed Rachel Carson room. 
Fascinating American history in this grand old building. EPA HQ is the former headquarters for the Postmaster General and there are these tremendous sculptures of post office workers doing their jobs (all men)
Also a a hallway of oil paintings featuring all of the former administrators of the EPA, except for Gina McCarthy and Scott Pruitt. Here are few: Whitman, Gorsuch, Ruckelshaus, Jackson.
Let's leave this to you as a little EPA trivia test. Name the administrator?
Room it's filling up. John Konkus, who is taking a more forward roll now handling public affairs, takes a cellphone photo of the set up at the event
And yes folks. I have not seen the Pruitt soundproof booth. I doubt I'm going to get access to it. And cannot yet say what it status is
Inhofe in the house
Just as the event was abt to start, one senior EPA official who I have written about said surprised to see me, "What are you doing here?" (EPA has not transformed overnight.)
Wheeler as he opens remarks announces that Henry Darwin is the new Acting Deputy Administrator . Currently head of operations at the EPA.. epa.gov/aboutepa/about…
Wheeler discussing his work as a lobbyist now. "If you read in the press I only had one." Referring to his work for Murray Energy, the coal company. "I did work for a coal company. I am not at all ashamed of the work I did for a coal company"
Says he was primarily worked on miner protection act, re bringing benefits to retired miners. "The work I did on behalf of the company to try to help retired mine workers." Says he does not think that story has been out there. Implying media coverage, he thinks, has been unfair
"When it comes to leadership, you cant lead unless you listen." Tells employees "My instinct will be to defend your work."
"We are also restoring the rule of law" bringing in federal overreach, he says, sounding the themes of Scott Pruitt. The agenda remains the same. "More certainty to the American public," also a Pruitt refrain.
"Certainty to the states," another Pruitt and GOP theme, meaning devolving EPA enforcement to state governments nationwide but environmental critics say means in fact, curbing EPA enforcement powers.
Also will reduce time it takes to issue EPA air/water/other permits. Goal is to make all permit decisions within six months. " I am not suggesting we approve all permits in a set amount of time. I am suggesting we make a decision ,up or down, yes or no, in a set amount of time."
Also re enforcement, says not advocating reducing fines or penalties to polluters--as Pruitt did. See this piece. (Yes, NYT will be following up re this to see what happens) nytimes.com/2017/12/10/us/…
Cites Flint Michigan, and poor job EPA has at times done in the past in terms of articulating risks to the American public. Says he wants to do a better job. "Risk communication disproportionately impacts people at lower end of the social economic ladder."
Says he can enhance environmental protections, while meeting needs of industry. And then he tries a little Shakespeare "we know what we are now, but not what we may become." The US is gold standard worldwide for environmental
One interesting major thing lacking--that Pruitt always turned to. No mention of God or religion.
Wheeler wraps up by staying--he will not take questions from news media. Says it is a matter of "technical" limitations. (Not sure I get that one) But says he will do so soon. Then provides a series of joke answers to hypothetical questions. Random stuff "Lord of the Rings" ???
And that is a wrap...(Lipton get out of the building) (joking, no one said that, yet)
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