Obama Nominates Air Quality Expert to Head the EPA

On Monday March 4, President Barack Obama announced that an air quality expert would be his nominee for the head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). As a veteran of the EPA, Gina McCarthy is a good choice to replace Lisa Jackson as administrator.

The 58 year old McCarthy earned a B.A., from the University of Massachusetts and has an M.S., from Tufts University. She is married to Kenneth McCarey; and has three children.

One of the more interesting aspects of McCarthy’s previous work experience is the fact that she is a former employee of Mitt Romney.

She was commissioner, Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection from 2004-2009, deputy secretary, Massachusetts Office of Commonwealth Development from 2003-2004 and undersecretary for policy, Massachusetts Executive Office of Environmental Affairs from 1999-2003. McCarthy is currently the assistant EPA administrator for the Office of Air and Radiation.

Obama described her approach on clean air as “practical” and “cost-effective.” Obama made a point of emphasizing McCarthy’s support for economic growth while insisting that “she welcomes different points of views.”

Although Obama’s introduction suggests that he is trying to preempt GOP concerns, some Republicans can be expected to insist that she promotes policies that cost jobs.