| What's New:
To receive these updates and announcements by email, manage your subscription, or review the mailing list archive, go to the NCSE List User Form.
|
|
Bush Nominates Utah Governor Leavitt as EPA Administrator
August 12, 2003—President Bush announced his intention to nominate Utah Governor Michael O. Leavitt as EPA Administrator, a job that has been temporarily filled by two Acting Administrators since Governor Christine Whitman resigned in June. Bush announced his choice on August 11 in Aurora, Colorado, a stop on his environmentally-focused tour of the western United States. The President brought Governor Leavitt to Washington in early July to discuss his candidacy for the EPA position, and issued him a formal offer a week and a half ago.
Bush introduced Leavitt as "a trusted friend, a capable executive, and a man who understands the obligations of environmental stewardship." Leavitt was elected governor of Utah in 1992, and became friendly with Bush while he was governor of Texas. Describing Leavitt's record on environmental policy, Bush said, "Governor Leavitt has been a leader in applying high standards in air quality, and he understands the importance of clear standards in every environmental policy. He respects the ability of state and local governments to meet those standards, rejects the old ways of command and control from above."
Leavitt described his approach toward environmental policy as a balance, saying, "To me, there is an inherent human responsibility to care for the earth. But there's also an economic imperative that we're dealing with in a global economy to do it less expensively." He suggested that progress can be achieved by avoiding extremism: "There is no progress polarizing at the extremes, but there is great progress, there's great environmental progress when we collaborate in the productive middle."
Fred Krupp, President of Environmental Defense, called Leavitt "very good" at protecting air quality in scenic areas and Western national parks. Krupp continued, "I'd call him a real leader in the west to address regional air issues and protect our national parks, and he deserves credit for that." Leavitt was instrumental in bringing together 13 states, 13 tribal Indian nations, three federal agencies, and private sector companies to reduce power plant emissions and clean up skies over Arizona's Grand Canyon, and Utah's Bryce, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, and Arches National Parks.
Governor Leavitt was criticized in Utah, however, for his failure to take measures against US Magnesium, a magnesium processing company that was releasing large quantities of pollutants near the Great Salt Lake. He also supported the controversial Legacy Highway project, which would have cut through important wetlands habitat, until the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals blocked progress on the project.
Before Leavitt can become EPA Administrator he must be confirmed by the Senate, which is on summer recess. Confirmation hearings will be scheduled when the Senate reconvenes in September. Marianne Horinko is currently serving as Acting Administrator of the EPA and will remain in that office until the Senate approves a permanent replacement.
The confirmation hearings promise to be contentious. Democratic presidential hopefuls have already reacted harshly to the nomination announcement. Senator John Kerry (D-MA) commented, "While none of us should be surprised that President Bush has chosen someone who has a record of working to undermine national environmental protections, the truth is that we aren't going to have a real commitment to the environment until we have a new president." Anticipating the confirmation hearings, Senator Joseph Lieberman (D-CT) said, "The American people deserve to know whether Governor Leavitt shares the same disregard for clean air, clean water, land conservation and global warming as the president."
Leavitt's nomination came as a surprise to many. Idaho Governor Dick Kempthorne (R) was rumored to be a likely candidate for EPA Administrator. Kempthorne confirmed that he spoke with White House officials about the job soon after Whitman resigned.
Amanda Brewster
National Council for Science and the Environment
1707 H Street, NW, Suite 200
Washington, DC 20006
Tel: 202-530-5810
E-mail: policy@NCSEonline.org
www.NCSEonline.org
|
