Mar 10, 2021 - Politics & Policy

Senate confirms Michael Regan as EPA administrator

Orion Rummler

Michael Regan speaks while wearing a red tie and gray suit jacket — Regan at his confirmation hearing on Feb. 3. Photo: Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call/Bloomberg via Getty Images

The Senate voted 66-34 on Wednesday to confirm Michael Regan, North Carolina's top environmental regulator, as head of the Environmental Protection Agency.

Why it matters: Regan is the first Black man to lead the agency. He'll be tasked with carrying out key elements of President Biden's aggressive climate change agenda, after former President Trump rolled back more than 100 environmental regulations during his term.

Background: Regan previously held several senior roles with the Environmental Defense Fund and served at the EPA for a decade prior to that, with a focus on air quality and radiation under Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush.

His record in North Carolina includes a major settlement with utility giant Duke Energy on cleaning up waste from coal-fired power production.
Agricultural groups including the American Farm Bureau Federation endorsed Regan's nomination, as did several environmental activist groups like 350.org.

Add Axios on Google

Senate confirms Michael Regan as EPA administrator

What to read next