Senators confirm EPA head, advance DOE deputy nominee

The Senate confirmed Michael Regan to be administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on a 66-34 vote Mar. 10.

A day later, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee advanced the nomination of David Turk to be deputy secretary of energy on a 20-0 vote.

The bipartisan votes may have reflected the candidates’ high levels of appropriate experience. In addition, the candidates lacked a track record of ideological and partisan political combat, the kind of record that recently ended the candidacy of Neera Tanden to be director of the Office of Management and Budget.

Anticipating air regulations

Mike Sommers, president of the American Petroleum Institute, issued a statement not only expressing hope to work with the EPA under Regan but anticipating a regulatory approach “addressing the risks of climate change, protecting public health and continuing to improve air and water quality.”

A “lower-carbon future” is the target, Sommers said.

“From developing effective federal methane regulations and accelerating technological innovation to modernizing the nation’s fuels policies, there are opportunities for government and industry to work together to support our shared goal of a lower-carbon future,” he said.

Regan worked in the EPA on air and energy issues and then in the advocacy group Environmental Defense Fund before being appointed secretary of the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality in 2017.

During his 4 years as a state regulator Regan dealt with controversies over natural gas pipelines and coal ash pollution from power plants, among other things. He also contributed to state policies aimed at advancing a transition to a lower-carbon economy.

Pragmatism, bipartisanship

Turk, nominated for the No. 2 post at the Energy Department, is a veteran Capitol Hill staff member who also has worked in the Energy Department.

During his nomination hearing, he spoke of the value of encouraging carbon capture, reuse, and storage in an “all of the above” energy strategy. Carbon reuse and storage is a subject that Republicans especially return to again and again, given the prospect of tighter air regulations affecting fossil fuels.

Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.), explaining Mar. 11 why he was voting to support Turk’s nomination, said he found Turk pragmatic, refreshing, and willing to work with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.