American Rivers statement on nomination of Michael Regan to lead EPA

December 18, 2020  
Contact: Amy Kober, 503-708-1145  

Bob Irvin, President of American Rivers, released the following statement today in response to President-elect Joe Biden’s nomination of Michael Regan, who currently heads the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, as administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency:  

“We congratulate Michael Regan on his nomination to lead the Environmental Protection Agency. He is a champion for clean water, climate solutions and environmental justice. His track record prioritizing science and equity makes him an excellent choice to address the challenges facing our rivers and communities. 

Under his leadership, the Department of Environmental Quality developed North Carolina’s first climate mitigation and resilience plan, which will improve community safety in the face of floods and droughts and help protect river health. He has also advanced efforts to improve water management to safeguard clean drinking water and ecosystems while ensuring water supplies can support the needs of agriculture and communities. 

Secretary Regan has prioritized environmental justice, highlighting how Black, Indigenous, people of color and low-income communities are disproportionately impacted by pollution, flooding and other threats. He worked to tackle these disparities, launching the Environmental Justice and Equity Board to inform DEQ decision making. 

Healthy rivers are part of the solution to the biggest challenges facing our country, including climate change, the economy, public health, and injustice. We urge swift passage of Secretary Regan’s nomination by the Senate, and we look forward to working with him to ensure investment in healthy rivers is a top priority.”