On February 4, the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works held a hearing to consider the nomination of Michael Regan as the Administrator for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). If confirmed, Regan would be responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of regulations that impact distribution sector emissions and permitting of natural gas infrastructure projects.
Throughout the hearing, Regan reiterated his intent to engage a broad range of stakeholders to better understand and address issues. He also noted that he intends to be forward-looking regarding how to address rules such as the former Clean Power Plan. He is anticipated to address his decisions regarding pipeline permitting in written testimony, due to the committee on Monday, February 8. If confirmed, Regan noted that he intends to “follow the science and follow the law” and “not exceed [his] statutory authority” as EPA Administrator.
Regan is currently North Carolina’s top environmental regulator, leading the state’s Department of Environmental Quality. The next step in the process is for the committee to take a vote on the nomination, which has yet to be scheduled.
A recording of the hearing, as well as the written testimony from Mr. Regan, is available
here. APGA staff will continue to keep members aware of any updates on this and other pending agency nominations.
For questions on this article, please contact Renée Lani of APGA staff by phone at 202-464-0836 or by email at
rlani@apga.org.