Obama Likely to Pick McCarthy to Lead EPA

Date: February 20, 2013

Source: News Room

President Barack Obama intends to nominate air quality expert Gina McCarthy to lead the EPA, according to a source speaking with Reuters News. She is currently assistant administrator for EPA's Office of Air and Radiation and would replace Lisa Jackson, who stepped down earlier this month. McCarthy's background in air pollution signals Obama's ambition to make climate change a priority during his second term. For that reason she will likely face tough questions from Republican lawmakers who believe the EPA has overstepped its authority and issued rules that have hurt the economy. While McCarthy has the respect of environmental groups, she also has a reputation for working well with utilities and state regulators which bear the brunt of implementing EPA rules. That could help her confirmation. She came to Washington after serving as the top environmental regulator in Massachusetts and Connecticut under Democratic and Republican governors.

See also: "EPA Chief Lisa Jackson to Resign," (www.wasteinfo.com/news/wbj20130107C.htm), December 27, 2012.

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