Now that Barack Obama is officially President of the United States, we’ve got four years of new leadership to look forward to and his team will undoubtedly get started on new measures so fast it’ll make our heads spin. But, when it comes to that new team – from the EPA chief to the National Security Advisor – how much can we expect in terms of environmental progress? Just how green is Obama’s new staff?
Naturally, Grist.org has the scoop. They’ve compiled background information on each team member and what the environmental community thinks of them. Here are a few of the top names – see the rest over at Grist.org.
EPA Administrator: Lisa Jackson
While many enviros have had nice things to say about Jackson, she’s been a controversial figure in New Jersey, where she served as commissioner of the Department of Environmental Protection from February 2006 to November 2008. Some N.J. groups say she’s done great work on climate, energy, and clean water, but others have been critical, particularly of her handling of toxic waste sites.
Secretary of Energy: Steven Chu
Watch Chu talk about climate change and renewable energy.
Secretary of the Interior: Ken Salazar
Some grassroots conservationists from the West are unhappy with the Salazar nomination, though some big, national green groups are saying nice things about him.
Secretary of Agriculture: Tom Vilsack
The sustainable-agriculture community is disappointed in the choice of Vilsack, who has been a big booster of agribusiness and genetically modified crops. But a long-time Iowa organic farmer and food activist says Vilsack is someone progressives can work with.
Read a 2007 interview with Vilsack.
Assistant to the President for Energy and Climate Change: Carol Browner
Browner, who was EPA administrator during the entire Clinton administration, has been a long-time acolyte of Al Gore.
Link [Grist.org]
