Whitman Wins Senate Confirmation

Jan. 31, 2001
New Jersey Gov. Christine Todd Whitman was approved unanimously by the Senate\r\nyesterday to head EPA.

New Jersey Gov. Christine Todd Whitman was approved by the Senate yesterday to head EPA. The Senate voted unanimously 99-0 to confirm Whitman.

Whitman, 54, a two-term Republican governor will resign her post one year shy of completing her second and final term.

"It''s an honor," said Whitman of her new job at EPA. "There are hard decisions to be made with this agency, and you can''t make everybody happy."

Sources in Washington have said that the Bush Administration is going to make important policy shifts on the environment where environmental policy will once again become a rule of law and process.

Former EPA head Carol Browner brought an impressive environmental resume to the top job at EPA, but Whitman brings to the table her political skills and the ability to strike a balance between conflicting interests group.

At a Dec. 22, press conference announcing her nomination Whitman said, "Having served as governor, I know what it''s like to be on the receiving end of mandates from Washington."

One of Whitman''s first tests as EPA administrator could be the issue of recently released diesel fuel rules. During her confirmation hearing last week, Whitman told senators that she would review the rules released in the final days of the Clinton Administration to see if changes are needed.

The stricter diesel rules have been vigorously opposed by the oil industry.

by Virginia Sutcliffe

About the Author

EHS Today Staff

EHS Today's editorial staff includes:

Dave Blanchard, Editor-in-Chief: During his career Dave has led the editorial management of many of Endeavor Business Media's best-known brands, including IndustryWeekEHS Today, Material Handling & LogisticsLogistics Today, Supply Chain Technology News, and Business Finance. In addition, he serves as senior content director of the annual Safety Leadership Conference. With over 30 years of B2B media experience, Dave literally wrote the book on supply chain management, Supply Chain Management Best Practices (John Wiley & Sons, 2021), which has been translated into several languages and is currently in its third edition. He is a frequent speaker and moderator at major trade shows and conferences, and has won numerous awards for writing and editing. He is a voting member of the jury of the Logistics Hall of Fame, and is a graduate of Northern Illinois University.

Adrienne Selko, Senior Editor: In addition to her roles with EHS Today and the Safety Leadership Conference, Adrienne is also a senior editor at IndustryWeek and has written about many topics, with her current focus on workforce development strategies. She is also a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics. Previously she was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank. She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck?, which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list.

Nicole Stempak, Managing Editor:  Nicole Stempak is managing editor of EHS Today and conference content manager of the Safety Leadership Conference.

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