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The news drew a backlash from environmental activists, including praise that the apparent election meant the rejection of California Air Resources Council President Mary Nichols, who faced pushing progressives on alleged shortcomings of communities in the front lines of dirty industry. . Other environmental activists have reacted to the possible nomination with a critical eye, pointing to what they see as “Regan’s mixed environmental justice record.”

According to The Associated Press, Biden’s choice for Regan “was confirmed on Thursday by a person familiar with the selection process who was not authorized [to] discussed the issue publicly before the official announcement and spoke on condition of anonymity. “

CNN, citing information from people familiar with the issue, reported that Regan will be officially announced as an election on Saturday.

Regan, 44, has been secretary of the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality since 2017. He previously worked for the federal EPA air and energy quality programs during the Clinton and Bush administrations. If confirmed by the Senate, Regan would be the nation’s second black EPA administrator; Lisa Jackson, who served in the Obama administration, was the first.

As Raleigh, North Carolina, News & Observer reported Tuesday:

Under Regan, the DEQ created part of the state’s Clean Energy Plan. He called for a drastic reduction in private sector greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2050, as well as accelerating clean energy innovation to create economic opportunities in rural and urban areas of the state.
Earlier this year, Duke Energy agreed to the largest coal ash cleanup in U.S. history as part of a legal agreement with DEQ, one of the highlights of Regan’s term. Duke agreed to excavate nearly 80 million tons of coal ash at six sites.

His mandate at the state agency also included the establishment in 2018 of the Advisory Committee on Environmental Justice and Equity.

“If Regan is ultimately Biden’s choice and is confirmed by the US Senate, he will find himself in familiar political territory,” Lisa Sorg wrote on NC Policy Watch on Wednesday. She continued:

He will inherit an EPA that faces challenges similar to those faced by the Department of Environmental Quality when he became secretary almost four years ago: a decimated budget, demoralized staff, a previous leadership that favored industry over solid science. , countless regulatory withdrawals, and a politically divided legislature that uses purse strings as punishment.

While Regan received recognition from environmental groups cited by Sorg, others suggested that Regan did not take over polluting industries strongly enough. Sorg added:

“He’s a great person, but I don’t think he’s done enough for PFAS for us,” said Emily Donovan, co-founder of Clean Cape Fear. “I understand that the agency is insufficient and underfunded. But the agency has made decisions that have nothing to do with these things. We have fought so hard, but we have received so little.”
She cited the consent order between DEQ, Cape Fear River Watch and Chemours, which opponents of the deal noted was weak. It specifically covers only upstream contamination, including owners of private wells near the Chemours plant in Cumberland and Bladen counties; downstream communities on public water systems in New Hanover and Brunswick counties feel excluded.
“There are still a quarter of a million people still exposed,” Donovan said. “Seeing how the state treats municipal taxpayers differently from private well owners is not a good answer. They have left the municipalities on their own to fight our own battles.”

Criticism of Regan’s fund has extended beyond his action on PFAS.

According to the revolving door project:

Regan supported the controversial Atlantic Coast Pipeline, despite major opposition from the environment, faith, justice, community and indigenous groups. His department also did not respond to the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Justice and Environmental Equity to stop the expansion of construction. He also allowed a major liquefied natural gas facility to be built in the middle of Lumbee, the largest indigenous tribe in eastern Mississippi, and was accused of failing to initiate public speeches or government-to-government consultations before construction of the installation.
Regan led a department that approved every permit application in the North Carolina pellet industry, despite massive deforestation problems in the industry and failed to address critical environmental issues related to the disposal of pig waste.

However, Earthjustice President Abigail Dillen hailed Regan as the possible head of the EPA, saying in a statement on Thursday that “he has dedicated his career to environmental work, advancing clean energy, combating climate change and tackling ash pollution.” coal”.

“As an EPA administrator, Regan will play a key role in resolving the climate crisis and protecting the health of all communities,” she added. “We will do everything we can to support and push Regan to repair the damage done by the Trump administration, to take bold action on climate solutions, and to truly address the environmental injustices that have been allowed to continue. a long time”

The election was similarly applauded by Lori Lodes, executive director of Climate Power 2020, who called Regan “a remarkable choice for the Biden team” and said he possessed “an understanding of the bold climate action that this moment requires.” .

Lisa Ramsden, a leading Greenpeace climate activist, also welcomed the election, praising Biden for not going with the previous election about Nichols.

“Biden has given himself a chance to choose an EPA administrator who will prioritize justice for the communities most affected by fossil pollution,” said Ramsden, who urged Regan to “go far beyond simply reversing refunds.” the Trump administration ”and boldly appeal outside oil and gas corporations for the unfair impact of their pollution. “

“While leading the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, Regan rightly pushed Duke Energy’s massive utility to clean up its toxic coal ash and fought Trump’s offshore oil drilling plans. it protects communities from the health impact of living near pig farms and the approval of several permits for the carbon-intensive wood pellet industry, ”she said.

“In the future,” said Ramsden, “Regan and the rest of the Biden-Harris administration must associate their high-level rhetoric on environmental justice with coherent action.”

Reposted with permission from the Common Dreams.