Statement on Senate Committee Inaction on the Nomination of Gina McCarthy
Contact:
Keith Gaby, kgaby@edf.org, 202-572-3336
Sharyn
Stein, sstein@edf.org,
202-572-3396
“Senator
Vitter is playing the kind of political games that make Congress so unpopular.
Gina McCarthy is a widely respected, non-partisan expert who has been appointed
by both Republicans and Democrats. Her qualifications have been endorsed
by major business leaders. A majority of the Committee is prepared to
approve her nomination and let her get to work. It’s time to be solving
problems – like how to make our air and water cleaner – not creating more
delays for the sake of insider politics.”
- Elizabeth Thompson, EDF Director
of Congressional Affairs
Praise for Gina McCarthy
Jodi Rell,
former Republican Governor of CT
“Her
leadership on climate issues is nationally respected, so it comes as no
surprise that the Obama administration would reach out
Jeff
Holmstead, former EPA air chief under George W. Bush
“McCarthy has
shown a willingness to listen to and understand industry’s legitimate
concerns.”
Scott Segal,
lawyer with Bracewell & Giuliani (Houston law firm that represents energy
companies
“Gina
McCarthy is engaging, effective and willing to listen to the regulated
community — even if we don’t always agree with her final rules.”
Ralph Izzo,
CEO of Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc.
“President
Obama’s selection of Gina McCarthy to lead EPA is a very good one. In the
past four years as chief of EPA’s air office, she has demonstrated
commitment and integrity in implementing key measures of the Clean Air
Act. As a communicator Gina is candid and forthright, and her ability to
balance economic, energy, and environmental issues will serve her well as EPA
Administrator. We look forward to continuing our relationship with Gina
and her staff and remain committed to working with EPA to address the key
environmental issues that impact our industry and our region.”
Gloria
Berquist, VP of the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers
“She’s a
pragmatic policymaker. She has aspirational environmental goals, but she
accepts real-world economics.”
John McManus,
American Electric Power’s VP of environmental services
“My sense is
that Gina is listening, has an open mind, she wants to hear the concerns of the
regulated sector.”
Stephen
Harper, Director of Environment and Energy Policy, Intel
“When you go
into a meeting with Gina, you know where she stands on the environment, but
she’s very pragmatic about the means to achieving an end.”
“We think
she’s somebody the industry can work with on problem-solving.”
Tom Buis,
CEO, Growth Energy
“Our working
relationship with Gina McCarthy has been outstanding. She’s very upfront, she’s
very direct, but more importantly, she’s willing to listen to all the different
stakeholders in the debate.”
“I don’t know
anyone in the industry who doesn’t have the utmost respect for her.”
Dr. Jerome
Paulson, Pediatrician
“Gina
McCarthy has demonstrated she can put science above politics. Gina McCarthy is
clearly a leader in the protection of children from environmental health
threats.”
Climate
change is the most important environmental health problem facing the children
of the U.S. and the world
David Levine,
CEO and Founder, American Sustainable Business Council
“American
Sustainable Business Council applauds the nomination of Gina McCarthy as
Administrator of the EPA.”
“We believe
that Ms. McCarthy can provide the strong leadership needed at EPA, including
pushing forward on clean air and working collaboratively with the business
community.”
“She
understands that economic prosperity is not at odds with environmental
protection. She was an advocate for crafting environmental policies to increase
market certainties; for us, that means growing business and creating jobs.”
Charles
Warren, a top EPA official in the Reagan administration. Now represents
industries at the firm of Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel
“At EPA, as a
regulator, you’re always asking people to do things they don’t want to do. But
Gina’s made an effort to reach out to industries while they’re developing
regulations. She has a good reputation.”
Donna Harman,
president and chief executive of the American Forest and Paper Association
“She’s very
data- and fact-driven, and that’s been helpful for us as well as the entire
business community. It doesn’t mean I always got what I was looking for, but we
can have a dialogue.”
Cal Dooley,
American Chemistry Council President
Said he and
his group’s members “have a lot of confidence in McCarthy’s leadership
ability.”
Rev. Mitch
Hescox, President/CEO of the Evangelical Environmental Network
“Protecting
our children’s health testifies to the moral character of our nation. With one
in three American children now suffering from asthma, autism, ADHD, and
allergies, all linked to environmental toxins, we need someone to champion our
kids’ health. Gina McCarthy’s nomination as Administrator of the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA)places her in the position of our country’s top cop on
children’s environmental health. We support her nomination wholeheartedly. Ms.
McCarthy’s record as a champion for our children in Massachusetts under
Governor Romney, running Connecticut’s Department of Environmental Protection,
and as Assistant EPA Administrator, testifies to her ability to get the job
done.
In my
experience, Gina is tough, but also fair. She listens to all sides and strikes
a balance in enforcing our nation’s laws.
We are a
nation who lives by the rule of law. It’s been over twenty years since the 1990
Clean Air Act Amendments and only now are important portions of that law being
enforced, such as reducing mercury pollution. Our children’s health must be
protected, and Gina McCarthy is the good cop we need to get the job done.”
Bill Becker,
Executive Director, National Association of Clean Air Agencies
“I want to
express my enthusiasm for Gina McCarthy’s nomination for Administrator of the
EPA. She’s the perfect choice. She knows what works and equally important what
doesn’t.”
“I have seen
her operate and I guarantee the American public will love her style. She’s
brutally honest and she makes things happen.”
“We’re
certain she’ll be an outstanding administrator to protect the health and
welfare of the environmental threats this world faces.”
“She’s
brutally honest, very fair, humorous, and an incredibly hard worker. She’s not
an ideologue. She’s a practitioner.”
The Clean
Energy Group
As Assistant
Administrator of EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation, Gina McCarthy has taken a
measured approach to balancing energy and environmental issues while
thoughtfully engaging with industry to develop sensible clean air policies.
Pending and future environmental regulations will require continued
collaboration with federal agencies, states, and other stakeholders and we are
confident this will continue under her leadership. We look forward to
continuing to work with Ms. McCarthy and her staff to constructively address
environmental issues that affect the electric generating sector.
United States
Hispanic Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Javier Palomarez
“Throughout
her career of public service, Assistant Administrator McCarthy has shown that
environmental responsibility can exist side by side with economic growth. She
has shown a willingness to work thoughtfully with the business community in
creating a balanced approach, ensuring American competitiveness while improving
environmental standards. Her experience working with both Democrats and
Republicans has shown that she views the creation of an energy-efficient
economy as a way to open new markets for small businesses and stimulate job
growth.”
One of the world’s leading international nonprofit organizations, Environmental Defense Fund (edf.org) creates transformational solutions to the most serious environmental problems. To do so, EDF links science, economics, law, and innovative private-sector partnerships. With more than 3 million members and offices in the United States, China, Mexico, Indonesia and the European Union, EDF’s scientists, economists, attorneys and policy experts are working in 28 countries to turn our solutions into action. Connect with us on Twitter @EnvDefenseFund
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