25-January-2013

President Obama's emphasis on climate change in his second Inaugural Address suggests that environmental action, likely through executive actions and the Environmental Protection Agency, will be at the forefront of his second term. The focus on climate change could set up a tougher hearing for a new EPA administrator, Andrew Wheeler of FaegreBD Consulting told the National Journal. Since Obama is in his second term, there won't be the typical deference given to a new president's Cabinet selections, Wheeler explained.

"During the campaign, President Obama tried to appeal to the coal states," Wheeler said. "He never once mentioned climate change. He tried at one point to even go to the right of Mitt Romney on coal issues. He didn't mention climate change until the night of the election after he won. In his acceptance speech, he mentioned climate change and then he mentioned it again this week.... I think that's going to generate a lot of questions and concerns from members, not just Republicans, but also moderate Democrats."