Contact: Matt Dempsey Matt_Dempsey@epw.senate.gov (202)224-9797  
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator James Inhofe (R-Okla.), Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, today supported the nomination of Regina McCarthy to be Assistant Administrator for the Office of Air and Radiation at the EPA.  The Senate confirmed McCarthy by a voice vote.

“I supported Regina McCarthy’s nomination today because I think she possesses the knowledge, experience, and temperament to oversee a very important office at EPA,” Sen. Inhofe said.  “I look forward to working with her on several critical issues facing the Agency.”

Sen. Inhofe continued: “I supported Sen. Barrasso’s hold on her nomination because we needed a greater understanding of how EPA will handle greenhouse gas regulation under the Clean Air Act—particularly how such regulation would affect thousands of small businesses across the country.  In a letter to me, Administrator Jackson agreed that the Clean Air Act is a flawed mechanism for addressing global warming.  She also agreed that the Act lacks statutory flexibility in important areas, which could be problematic for small businesses, schools, hospitals, nursing homes, and other small sources.”

“I thank Administrator Jackson for her candor.  Looking ahead, I hope that, along with acknowledging the inherent problems of regulating under the Act, the Administrator will support legislative efforts to prevent the ‘glorious mess’ of EPA regulation from occurring.”

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