Collins says she will oppose confirmation of Wheeler to EPA

U.S. Sen. Susan Collins says she’ll vote against President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Environmental Protection Agency.

The Maine Republican said Wednesday she has “too many concerns with the actions” Andrew Wheeler has taken as acting EPA administrator.

Collins said she met with the former coal lobbyist to discuss the EPA’s enforcement of landmark environmental laws to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mercury pollution.

But she said that since last August the EPA has proposed replacing the Clean Power Plan and halting efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from cars and trucks. She also said the EPA determined it’s not necessary to regulate mercury emissions from power plants.

She said reducing pollution is of great importance to Maine, both for people’s health and to reduce greenhouse emissions.