President Bush today nominated Stephen L. Johnson, a biologist and pathologist by training, to head the Environmental Protection Agency. Johnson, whose nomination must be confirmed by the Senate, is expected to push changes Bush wants in air pollution and clean water programs, the Associated Press reports.
A career scientist, Johnson becomes the first person in the EPA’s 35-year history to rise from within its ranks to the top job of administrator. His first task, according to AP, will be to sell air pollution regulations that are aimed at reducing mercury emissions from power plant smokestacks and other pollutants carried across state lines. These regs are due to come out within the next couple of weeks.