Wheeler was born in Hamilton, Ohio.[7] He holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and biology from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio (1987)[8] and a Juris Doctor from the Washington University in St. Louis School of Law (1990).[9] In 1998, he also completed a Master of Business Administration at George Mason University.[7]
Career[edit]
Wheeler's first job between 1991 and 1995 was with the Environmental Protection Agency,[10] working on toxic chemical, pollution prevention, and right-to-know issues.
Wheeler worked as majority staff director, minority staff director, and chief counsel at the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.[3] Wheeler began his work in Congress as a staff member of Senator Jim Inhofe, working on nuclear safety, clean energy technologies, and clean water standards.
Wheeler was co-leader of Faegre Baker Daniels' energy and natural resources practice and also counsel to the law firm.[11] Since 2009, had represented the coal producer Murray Energy,[12] privately owned by Bob Murray, a supporter of President Trump.[13] He has been a proponent of the coal industry, having lobbied against climate change policy and greenhouse gas emission regulation.[14]
Wheeler publishes articles in the magazine Law360.[15] In 2010, he questioned the scientific rigor of the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change,[16] expressing his impression that the positions of the organization were based more on political worldview than scientific facts.[13]