Amata's Statement on EPA Administrator Wheeler

Statement

Monday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata welcomed the Senate confirmation of EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler:

"In 2018, the EPA provided $11 million in three federal grants to American Samoa, including a water infrastructure project to American Samoa Power Authority, and health, education and environment funds to the Territory. The EPA plays a notable role in the effort to safeguard the health of our beautiful coasts, waters and coral reefs. The Region 9 (Pacific southwest) EPA personnel work on these same environmental stewardship issues for California and Hawaii coasts and reefs, along with American Samoa's.

"The U.S. Senate has confirmed President Trump's choice of Andrew Wheeler as the 15th EPA Administrator, preserving continuity in the Environmental Protection Agency. He already served as Deputy Administrator, and has served as Acting Administrator since July 2018.

"Administrator Wheeler's extensive experience includes six years as Majority Staff Director of the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, and before that, another six years at the Subcommittee on Clean Air, Climate Change, Wetlands and Nuclear Safety. He also served under President George W. Bush as Special Assistant in EPA's Pollution Prevention and Toxics office.

"The EPA will celebrate 50 years next year, as it was established in 1970 under President Richard Nixon to create guidelines for water and air quality, and establish better prevention and clean-up procedures."

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