WASHINGTON – The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee today voted 14-6 to confirm Michael Regan to be the next administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. The full Senate will vote in the coming days on Regan’s nomination to head the agency.
Below is a statement from EWG’s Senior Vice President for Government Affairs Scott Faber.
Michael Regan’s performance before the committee shows he will bring the experience and commitment to environmental and public health protection that is required to lead the EPA. Regan’s background, skills and allegiance to facts and science are exactly what is needed to rebuild the hobbled agency and address such critical issues as the PFAS contamination crisis affecting drinking water, toxic chemicals and pesticides, and air pollution – all of which were ignored by Andrew Wheeler and former President Trump.
We applaud the committee for its action today and urge the full Senate to vote quickly to approve Regan’s nomination. The damage done to the agency and its mission during the past four years will be one of the biggest challenges facing the Biden administration, which is why it is so important Regan is sworn in and can get to work immediately.
Among the issues Regan addressed during his confirmation hearing last week before the EPW Committee is the PFAS contamination crisis polluting the drinking water in virtually every state and community in the country.
“I can commit to you that on day one that this is and will be a priority for this administration to set limits on how much of this chemical compound is entering into our air and our water,” Regan said in response to a question from New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D).
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The Environmental Working Group is a nonprofit, non-partisan organization that empowers people to live healthier lives in a healthier environment. Through research, advocacy and unique education tools, EWG drives consumer choice and civic action.
