Former fossil fuels lobbyist to head interior department as Zinke exits

David Bernhardt's new job means top two US environmental agencies will be helmed by people once paid by industry

Ryan Zinke's exit as interior secretary elevates a former lobbyist to the job, meaning the top two US environmental agencies will now be run by people previously paid by industry.

The deputy secretary, David Bernhardt, will take over at least temporarily when Zinke steps down at the end of the year. He also could be in the running to head the department permanently. And at the Environmental Protection Agency, the acting administrator, Andrew Wheeler, who was a coal lobbyist, will be nominated to keep the post.