Biden Appears To Shift Away From California's Nichols As EPA Chief

摘要

It appears increasingly likely that President-elect Joe Biden will not select retiring California Air Resources Board (CARB) chief Mary Nichols as his EPA administrator nominee following opposition from environmental justice (EJ) advocates, amid some indications he could announce his choice as soon as this week. The New York Times reports that the Biden transition team is "scrambling to find someone else," after EJ groups' criticisms including an early December letter spearheaded by California groups accused her of having a "bleak record in addressing environmental racism." One source tracking the issue - who defends Nichols as the most qualified for the job - says it is not yet clear the decision is a "done deal." But several press reports are flagging potential late-hour alternatives, including North Carolina environment secretary Michael Regan.