CONTACT:

BILL HOLBROOK 202-224-5762

MATT DEMPSEY 202-224-9797 matthew_dempsey@epw.senate.gov

WASHINGTON, DC – Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.), Chairman of the Environment & Public Works Committee commented today on the announcement that Steve Johnson, who is currently serving as acting Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator, has been nominated by President Bush to lead the agency.

“Steve has spent over twenty years at EPA, has been confirmed twice by the Senate, and should be proud of his rise through the ranks at the agency,” Senator Inhofe said. “It is a testament to his hard work in public service that he has been nominated to lead the agency – I believe one of the toughest jobs in the federal government. I look forward to sitting down with Steve very soon to discuss the many issues and challenges facing EPA and our nation’s environment.”