Wheeler Sets New Direction For EPA
Andrew Wheeler, Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, spoke to Alaska’s resource industry in August while touring the entire state. At a lunch sponsored by most of Alaska’s resource industry associations including AMA, and hosted by Alaska Sen. Dan Sullivan, Wheeler set a re- freshing tone far different from his predecessors. “Alaska is blessed with incredible natural resources that can create jobs and improve jobs,” Wheeler said. “We know we can extract and use these re- sources while protecting the environment at the same time. We don’t have to choose one over the other.” This and similar comments brought many rounds of applause from a large crowd of supporters. Addressing Sen. Sullivan, Wheeler cited specific programs that Sullivan has shepherded with the EPA. “Senator it’s been a pleasure working with you on a variety of issues.” He singled out grants that will be awarded beginning in September to help rural communities improve their water systems, a program Sullivan spon- sored. And he pointed out the Save Our Seas legislation Sullivan sponsored to reduce ocean debris. Wheeler said he’s helped ensure that ocean debris is being reflected in in- ternational trade agreements, the first time that has happened. He also thanked both Sullivan and Sen. Lisa Murkowski for keeping Alaska issues before the EPA, because of their leadership on key House and Sen- ate committees. He singled out air quality issues as a topic Murkowski has kept as an EPA focus. Wheeler has an extensive resume lobbying for resource industries, in par- ticular coal mining. He cited progress the Trump administration has made to empower the states to have more power managing their own environmental standards and policies. “A one size fits all policy does not work,” he stated.
EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler toured Alaska in August including a detailed briefing hosted by Senator Dan Sullivan and Alaska resource industry associations including AMA.
We need to work cooperatively with the states, as well as with local govern- ments and tribes. When it comes to issues like wetlands, the EPA and Corps of Engineers are trying to provide flexibility,” he said. That includes focuses mitigation where it’s needed to address real rather than imagined environmental concerns, he added. He cited both work to help rural Alaska communities invest in solutions to address their local water quality issues, as well as changing the rules for the diesel engine power generation that is so critical to rural Alaska com- munities. “These efforts reflect the new attitude and approach of the EPA,” he said proudly. Of particular importance to miners, he also recounted the administration’s decision to roll back Obama administration proposed restrictions on hard rock mining. “The previous administration on the way out the door tried to impose these restrictions. It would have dealt a serious blow to the mining industry.” He pointed out Alaska’s leadership as the number one producer of zinc and silver and number two of gold.
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September 2019 I The Alaska Miner I www.alaskaminers.org
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