31 December 2012

2 minute read

North America

EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson

Jackson is expected to step down after the President's State of the Union address after holding the position for almost four years - a tenure defined by controversial policies like global warming, the Keystone XL oil pipeline and emmission controls on coal-fired plants.

In a statement, Jackson did not give a specific reason for her resignation but said she was confident that "the ship is sailing in the right direction." She thanked President Obama for the honor and the confidence he placed in her four years ago when he announced her nomination as Administrator of the EPA.

Jackson did note in her statement that she is ready for new challenges, time with my family and new opportunities to make a difference.

President Obama said in a statement: "Over the last four years, Lisa Jackson has shown an unwavering commitment to the health of our families and our children. Under her leadership, the EPA has taken sensible and important steps to protect the air we breathe and the water we drink, including implementing the first national standard for harmful mercury pollution, taking important action to combat climate change under the Clean Air Act, and playing a key role in establishing historic fuel economy standards that will save the average American family thousands of dollars at the pump, while also slashing carbon pollution.

"Lisa has been an important part of my team, and I want to thank her for her service in my Administration and her tireless efforts to benefit the American people. I wish her all the best wherever her future takes her."

In a statement by Bob Dinneen, President and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), on the resignation of Jackson: "Administrator Jackson put into action the Obama Administration's commitment to ethanol and other biofuels. During her tenure, she cleared the way for E15 giving consumers more choice and savings at the gas pump and she protected the progress that has been made in reducing our dependence of foreign oil by recognizing the importance and inherent flexibility of the RFS. The ethanol industry thanks her for her service and looks forward to working with her successor to continue the growth of America's domestic renewable fuels industry."

Who will replace Jackson is anyone's guess, but names being thrown about in Washington include:

• Bob Perciasepe, deputy EPA administrator
• Gina McCarthy, assistant administrator for EPA’s office of Air and Radiation
• Daniel Esty, commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
• Ian Bowles, environment and natural resources advisor on the White House staff for President Bill Clinton

Sarah Mikesell, Senior Editor

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