Green Jersey

Obama’s choice for the EPA

by William Owen

Barack Obama’s most important staffing decision will be his choice of Environmental Protection Agency administrator.

He will choose New Jersey’s Lisa Jackson, according to a Trenton source and national news organizations, the Bergen Record is reporting.

As Obama laid the beginnings of a plan for the greatest public works program in two generations on Saturday, he stressed the need to strengthen our transportation infrastructure and retool our public buildings along more environmental lines, and highlighted the ability to save energy as a means to create jobs.

The incoming EPA admin, it is already expected, will be working more closely than ever with the secretaries of energy, interior and transportation, and will likely be advising and overseeing a range of initiatives that will impact Obama’s plan for economic renewal.

Recent developments in the economic crisis may help the person Obama taps for the job, be it Jackson or someone else.

Even as the automotive industry awaits government action on its fate, it stands as an example of the high price tag of inefficiency. Not only does “going green” mean a healthier, cleaner world, it is also essential to rebuild, maintain and grow businesses and industries. So while some speculate that the cost of stronger environmental controls will inhibit action, there’s now a strong economic case for making wise, energy efficient and environmentally sound choices. It may prove that the new EPA head will encounter far less resistance than usual in the course of bringing about changes.

It is expected that Obama will announce his EPA choice, along with other key roles in what may become a “national environmental council,” this week or early next week. Jackson, said to be the front-runner, is a member of Obama’s Energy and Natural Resources transition team.

William Owen is a freelance writer in Jersey City.