By Jeremy Carroll, Crain News Service
DETROIT (Jan. 2, 2013) — In an unsurprising move, Lisa Jackson, the head of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), announced she is walking away from the job in early 2013. Cabinet members and top political appointees rarely last more than one presidential term.
Ms. Jackson was tapped by President Barack Obama after his election and was confirmed into the role by the Senate quickly, taking office just three days after Mr. Obama's inauguration.
Republicans and various industry groups were not fans of Ms. Jackson, who pushed for greenhouse gas rules in attempt to curb climate change. She was somewhat successful, passing the first-ever greenhouse gas regulations, but falling short of her plan for a cap-and-trade system for emissions.
She was easily confirmed, mostly because the Democrats had a strong control over the Senate after the 2008 election. While the Democrats are still in the majority, Republicans could stall and block any nominated replacement. (The president nominates candidates and the Senate confirms them, much like Supreme Court justices.)
That could make the next EPA administrator a curious choice for Mr. Obama. He could attempt to push through another candidate like Ms. Jackson and risk the candidate being blocked.
Or he could nominate someone more moderate, who looks to simply enforce the Clean Air and Clean Water acts. That type of candidate would likely face less resistance. (And by less resistance, I mean multiple days of tough questions from Republicans, picking apart the background of the candidate, but ultimately allowing the candidate to move forward.)
What type of candidate would you like to see Mr. Obama nominate? One that fights for new regulations, or one that maintains the rules already passed?
This blog recently appeared in Waste & Recycling News, a Detroit-based companion publication of Tire Business. Have a comment on reporter Jeremy Carroll's opinion piece? Send it in an email to [email protected].