Washington, D.C. — In response to President-elect Joe Biden’s nomination of Michael Regan as administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, Rep. Deb Haaland (D-NM) as secretary of the interior, Gov. Jennifer Granholm (D-MI) as secretary of energy, Gina McCarthy as White House climate coordinator, and Brenda Mallory as chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, experts at the Center for American Progress issued the following statements.
CAP Founder John Podesta:
President-elect Biden must lead a nation in crisis—a COVID crisis, economic crisis, a racial justice crisis, and a climate crisis. With regard to the latter, he is facing ever-lengthening hurricane and wildfire seasons, ever-rising seas, and waves of displacement rarely seen in American history. The team he has chosen for this fight is a clear recognition that facing this challenge requires unprecedented mobilization and cooperation across every office and agency. Together, they will manage our government’s coordination, muster our nation’s political will, and build an equitable and just economy that is stronger and fairer than the one we had at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, with commitments to environmental justice and good union jobs. It’s time to get to work.
Christy Goldfuss, senior vice president for Energy and Environment at CAP:
President-elect Biden understands that making sure all Americans have access to healthy air, clean water, outdoor spaces, economic opportunities, and a safe climate future is one of the highest responsibilities of his administration—one that requires a whole-of-government approach. These nominees—including the first-ever Native American to lead a Cabinet agency—are strong leaders and well suited to this enormous challenge. They offer a stark contrast to the Trump administration, which focused on giving favors to donors from the oil, gas, and coal industries. Today’s announcement is one of the first steps toward urgently addressing the priorities of ordinary Americans. These leaders will work to clean up the toxic pollution that has unjustly plagued low-income communities, tribal communities, and communities of color. They will build a 100 percent clean future with dignity for all and pursue an inclusive vision for conserving at least 30 percent of U.S. lands and ocean by 2030.
For more information or to speak to an expert, please contact Ari Drennen at [email protected].