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EPA nominee approved by committee
WASHINGTON – A Senate committee voted 10-8 on party lines Wednesday to recommend full Senate confirmation of a controversial Environmental Protection Agency official as head of the agency’s air pollution control division. William Wehrum’s appointment as assistant EPA administrator for air and radiation had been opposed by environmentalists because of his role in pushing through rules easing pollution requirements on electric power plants. The vote in favor of confirmation hinged on Sen. Lincoln Chafee, R-R.I., who has sided with Democrats and independent Sen. James Jeffords of Vermont on previous air pollution issues. Chafee, who has been endorsed for reelection this year by the Sierra Club, did not attend the committee meeting and his affirmative proxy vote was cast by committee chairman James Inhofe, R-Okla.
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