Press Release

March 4, 2013
Cardin Urges EPA Nominee To Continue Focus On Science To Protect Public Health

Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), a member of the Environment and Public Works Committee and Chairman of its Water and Wildlife Subcommittee, released the following statement in response to President Obama’s choice of Gina McCarthy to succeed Lisa Jackson as Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.

“As a senior member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, I look forward to the confirmation hearings for Gina McCarthy to be the next administrator of the EPA.  After a fair and open process, if confirmed, McCarthy will lead an EPA on the front lines of making our country healthier and safer from pollution in our environment and prepared for the effects of climate change. I expect that she will continue to seek the very best science available to make good decisions on public policy.  As Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation, Ms. McCarthy has proven herself an effective public servant and defender of public health, clean air and the environment.

“Strong EPA leadership is crucial to addressing water quality issues nationwide, from ensuring adequate resources for water infrastructure improvements, to maintaining the health of the Chesapeake Bay and other great water bodies throughout our nation, to protecting water quality in our streams and wetlands.  As chairman of the Water and Wildlife Subcommittee, I look forward to reviewing these issues with Ms. McCarthy during the confirmation process, as well as her priorities for filling important EPA vacancies, including the Assistant Administrator for the Office of Water, and how she might implement solutions to the water quality issues facing our country. For Maryland, a healthy Bay means a healthy economy.

“As EPA Administrator, Lisa Jackson showed the kind of principled toughness this job requires from its leadership. I thank her for her great service, along with Marylander Bob Perciasepe who has served as Acting Administrator and Deputy Administrator of the EPA. I have known Bob Perciasepe for many years as a person of unquestioned intelligence, exemplary management skills, and vision. His 30-year history of public service has had a major impact on Maryland and Baltimore, especially the Chesapeake Bay.”

 

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