13-November-2014
From 2003-2009, Wheeler was Oklahoma Sen. James Inhofe's staff director for the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW)—Inhofe was chairman of the committee from 2003-2007 and then ranking member from 2007-2009 under Sen. Barbara Boxer. Though Inhofe is now poised to take back his role of leading EPW, which could mean more oversight. Wheeler said to Energy & Environment Daily, "I don't think we've seen really any oversight of the Obama administration by the [EPW] committee." However, he speculated that Inhofe "won't hesitate" to conduct oversight of the Democratic Obama administration.
In a Politico article on potential energy legislation happening with the new Republican Senate—including action on the Keystone XL pipeline and exporting more natural gas—industry leaders weighed in on what it will mean for the industry, some believing that there will be a significant amount of oversight and too few moderate Democrats left to see enough bipartisanship. To that Wheeler retorted, "You still have some moderate Democrats that want to get something done on the energy and environmental issues. I see some deals being made."
In a different Politico article focused on the coal industry's overwhelming support of Republicans in the election, Wheeler explained that Democrats' support in coal areas may never come back. "This has been a growing trend in coal politics and will outlast President Obama's tenure," said Wheeler.
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