"The North Carolina environmental regulator will play a leading role in pushing the Biden administration's climate change and environmental justice policies."
"The Senate confirmed Michael Regan to lead the Environmental Protection Agency on Thursday, putting the North Carolina regulator in charge of restoring the climate and water pollution regulations that the Trump administration had weakened.
Regan spent four years as secretary of the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, where his record of fixing environmental problems faced by low-income residents and communities of color drew national attention. It also propelled him to the Cabinet-level position above more prominent state regulators, such as California's Mary Nichols.
"Michael Regan is the kind of person who can help unite us in common purpose as we respond to the climate crisis we face, as well as to clean our air, clean our water and strive to make sure that we don’t leave some of our communities, some of our neighbors behind in our efforts to do so," Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.), chair of the Senate Environment committee, said on the Senate floor ahead of the vote.
Regan was confirmed by a 66-34 vote, with 16 Republicans joining all 50 Democrats in support of him."
Alex Guillén reports for Politico March 10, 2021.
SEE ALSO:
"Senate Confirms Biden’s Pick to Lead E.P.A." (New York Times)
"U.S. Senate Votes To Confirm Biden EPA Pick Michael Regan" (Reuters)