Michael S. Regan was sworn in as the 16th Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on March 11. Regan is the first Black man and the second person of color to lead the EPA.
“I’m grateful to President (Joe) Biden for entrusting me to lead the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency at this critical moment in our country’s history,” Regan said. “The EPA’s career officials are the backbone of this agency, and I am humbled to work alongside them as we confront climate change, stand up for justice and equity, and ensure science is at the heart of our decision-making. We will prove that environmental protection and economic prosperity go hand in hand — and we will seize this opportunity to create a healthier, more just future for all.”
Regan returns to the EPA after beginning his career at the agency, rising to the role of national program manager responsible for designing strategic solutions with industry and corporate stakeholders to reduce air pollution, improve energy efficiency, and address climate change.
Prior to his nomination as EPA administrator, Regan served as the secretary of the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality.
As secretary, Regan spearheaded the development and implementation of North Carolina’s seminal plan to address climate change and transition the state to a clean energy economy. Under his leadership, he secured the largest coal ash cleanup in U.S. history. He led complex negotiations regarding the cleanup of the Cape Fear River, which had been contaminated for years by the toxic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). In addition, he established North Carolina’s first-of-its-kind environmental justice and equity advisory board to better align social inequities, environmental protection, and community empowerment.
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