Career Scientist Nominated as EPA Head

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Richard Morrison, 202.331.2273

 

 

Washington, D.C., March 4, 2005—President Bush today nominated Stephen Johnson to be the next Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, fueling hope that Johnson’s background as a scientist will orient the agency towards unbiased science and a sensible approach to environmental protection..

 

“While a 24-year career at EPA is not the most likely qualification for a reformer, we hope that Johnson’s scientific background and stated goal of using innovative and collaborative approaches to solving environmental problems will inform his tenure as Administrator,” said Competitive Enterprise Institute Senior Fellow Iain Murray.

 

During a press conference to announce his nomination, Johnson emphasized his intention to find ways to advance an environmental agenda while maintaining our nation's economic health.

 

“We look forward to the possibility of working with the new Administrator to develop new, free market ways to meet the broad range of environmental challenges the EPA is charged with addressing,” said CEI Director of Risk and Environmental Policy Angela Logomasini.

 

In the past, the EPA has suffered from criticism of political bias in its research and policy agenda. CEI and other critics of the Agency’s command-and-control approach to environmental regulation have taken the Agency to task for its tendency to view every environmental problem as a need for heavy-handed government regulation.  For the EPA, Johnson could offer a fresh approach by treating businesses and property owners as potential partners rather than antagonists to be disciplined.