Gina McCarthy
Gina McCarthy | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Regina McCarthy Dorchester, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Alma mater | University of Massachusetts, Boston Tufts University |
Gina McCarthy is an American public administrator and an environmental health and air quality expert, who is currently assistant administrator for the Office of Air and Radiation of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. She is known for her dedication to common-sense strategies to protect public health and the environment.[1] On March 4, 2013, President Barack Obama nominated McCarthy to replace Lisa Jackson as head of the EPA.[2] When confirmed, she will become the face of Obama's climate change initiative.[3] Her nomination is expected to come under close scrutiny.[4]
A Boston native, McCarthy has worked on environmental issues at the state and local levels and has developed policies on economic growth, energy, transportation and the environment.[1] In her twenty-five years in public administration, she has been an environmental advisor to five Massachusetts governors, including former Governor Mitt Romney. From 2004 to 2009 she was commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection. In this capacity she implemented a regional policy to trade carbon credits to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from power plants.[3]
According to some observers, Obama's selection of McCarthy confirms that he is serious about battling climate change. Daniel Fiorino, director of the Center for Environmental Policy at American University, says: "Her nomination signals that the president really wants to deliver on his State of the Union objectives to take serious action on climate change." Despite speculation that this will affect Obama's decision on the Keystone XL Pipeline, Fiorino believes that this doesn't affect the dynamics of the Keystone decision significantly as other considerations are paramount, but adds: "... she knows air and climate issues very well and she's a very strong environmentalist." The EPA is one of the federal agencies that will advise the Obama administration on the proposed pipeline, "a project that would carry millions of barrels of bitumen a week from Alberta's carbon-intensive oilsands to the U.S. Gulf Coast."[5]
Career
A longtime civil servant, McCarthy has held her current position as assistant administrator, U.S. EPA from 2009 to present. Prior to 2009, she was commissioner, Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection from 2004-2009. She has held several top positions in the civil service of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, including deputy secretary, Massachusetts Office of Commonwealth Development from 2003-2004 and undersecretary for policy, Massachusetts Executive Office of Environmental Affairs from 1999-2003.[6]
McCarthy graduated from the University of Massachusetts Boston with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Anthropology in 1976. In 1981 she received a joint Master of Science in Environmental Health Engineering and Planning and Policy from Tufts University.[1][6]
Personal life
McCarthy is married to Kenneth McCarey. They have three children, Daniel, Maggie and Julie.[6]
References
- ^ a b c U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Gina McCarthy, Assistant Administrator for the Office of Air and Radiation. Retrieved on: 2013-02-22.
- ^ Huffington Post (March 4, 2013). Gina McCarthy Gets EPA Head Nomination From Obama. Retrieved on: 2013-03-05.
- ^ a b Mason, J. and Rampton, R. (February 20, 2013). Obama settles on EPA, Energy Department nominees: source. Reuters. Retrieved on: 2013-02-22.
- ^ McCumber, D. (February 21, 2013). EPA's Gina McCarthy under scrutiny. San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved on: 2013-02-22.
- ^ CBC News (February 21, 2013). What will Obama's 'green quarterback' mean for Keystone XL? Canadian Press. Retrieved on: 2013-02-23.
- ^ a b c Washington Post (March 4, 2013). Biographical information for Gina McCarthy, Obama’s pick for EPA chief. Retrieved on: 2013-03-05.
 | This United States biographical article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |