New EPA Chief Can’t Avoid Conflicts of Interest, Watchdogs Warn

•Ex-lobbyist recused himself from issues affecting old clients •But such recusals can be waived, and aren’t always enforced

The former energy lobbyist tapped to run the Environmental Protection Agency has promised to stay away from decisions that affect his old clients. But it might not be that simple.Ethics watchdogs warn thatAndrew Wheeler’s commitment to recuse himself is unlikely to be enforced if broken, and can be waived by the very staff that Wheeler now oversees. The result, they say, is that Wheeler’s pledge may not count for much.“The public should be very concerned,”Craig Holman, a government affairs lobbyist at the ...