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Biden’s EPA nominee vows ‘urgency’ on climate change Source: By Brady Dennis, Washington Post • Posted: Wednesday, February 3, 2021
Michael S. Regan, who would be the first Black man to serve as EPA administrator, promised to seek consensus as he pursues an ambitious agenda.
Michael S. Regan would become the first Black man to head the Environmental Protection Agency in its 50-year history, working in an administration that has pledged to address environmental racism. (Jonathan Newton/The Washington Post)
Michael S. Regan, President Biden’s choice to lead the Environmental Protection Agency, told lawmakers Wednesday that he would “restore” science and transparency at the agency, focus on marginalized communities and move “with a sense of urgency” to combat climate change.
Biden EPA pick pledges close look at plastics
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Michael Regan, nominee for administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, speaks during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Environment and Public Works committee Feb. 3 in Washington, D.C.
President Joe Biden s nominee to head the Environmental Protection Agency told senators at his confirmation hearing Feb. 3 that he would take a close look at calls to step up regulations aimed at plastics.
Biden nominee Michael Regan told the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee that he would examine a detailed plan that environmental groups released in December, outlining regulatory actions the Biden administration could take without congressional approval.
Senate committee holds confirmation hearing on EPA nominee
Michael Regan testifies Wednesday during his Senate committee hearing to be named administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. Photo from Senate committee video screenshot
-The Hagstrom Report
The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee held a hearing Wednesday on President Biden’s nomination of Michael Regan, secretary of the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, as administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
American Coalition for Ethanol CEO Brian Jennings said after the hearing, “If confirmed as EPA administrator, Mr. Regan inherits a long list of unfinished business with respect to the Renewable Fuel Standard.”
Will new US EPA head continue his opposition to burning forests for energy?
by Justin Catanoso on 4 February 2021
Under President Donald Trump the U.S. made moves toward legally enshrining the burning of forest biomass to make energy on an industrial scale as a national policy. That same policy has been embraced by the United Kingdom and European Union, helping them move toward a target of zero carbon emissions at least on paper.
However, the carbon neutrality label given to the burning of woody biomass to make energy, first proclaimed under the Kyoto Protocol, then grandfathered into the Paris Climate Agreement, has been found by science over the last decade to be more accurately characterized as a risky carbon accounting loophole.
Published: Thursday, February 4, 2021
Michael Regan. Photo credit: Francis Chung/E&E News
EPA administrator nominee Michael Regan on Capitol Hill yesterday for his confirmation hearing. Francis Chung/E&E News
Michael Regan s confirmation hearing yesterday focused on the challenges ahead for EPA.
In just under three hours, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee questioned President Biden s EPA administrator nominee about air, climate and water regulations; his plans to rebuild the agency; and how he will handle complex issues around biofuels and pesticides that have vexed past administrators.
Regan drew upon his experience as secretary of the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality. He promised collaboration, dialogue and transparency if he is confirmed as EPA administrator.