Senate confirms Michael Regan as head of the Environmental Protection Agency

With a bipartisan vote of confirmation from 66 to 34, Regan will become the first black man to lead the EPA in the agency’s 50-year history.

Regan has served as secretary to the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality. He previously led the Environmental Defense Fund’s efforts to combat the impacts of the climate crisis and air pollution, according to the state government website, and also worked at the EPA during the Clinton and Bush governments.

At the head of the country’s top environmental agency, Regan must now play an important role in the Biden government’s climate efforts.

Biden issued a series of executive actions on the climate crisis in his first weeks in office, taking a “government-wide” approach to reducing the country’s carbon emissions, spurring job growth and fighting environmental injustices.

During the Senate nomination hearing in February, Regan promised to “act with a sense of urgency” to deal with the climate crisis.

“Our priorities for the environment are clear: we will restore the role of science and transparency in the EPA. We will support talented and dedicated career employees. We will continue with a sense of urgency in climate change and defend the environment justice and equity,” he said. he.

Regan also reflected during the hearing on his environmental career – which started with a degree in environmental science and an internship at the agency that he is now in charge of leading.

“I knew I wanted to find a way to serve, and it took me to my first summer internship at EPA. I spent almost ten years in the EPA under the presidents of both parties, ”Regan told the Senate panel.

“It is an honor for life to be invited back,” he added.

Regan becomes the last official to receive confirmation from the Senate to join the Biden government. Earlier on Wednesday, Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer said that by the end of the day, the Senate will have confirmed three other nominees – including Regan, as well as Merrick Garland for attorney general and MP Marcia Fudge for Secretary of Housing and Urban Development – totaling 16 ministerial-level employees.

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