North Carolina native Michael Regan confirmed as head of EPA

WASHINGTON — The Senate on Wednesday confirmed North Carolina regulator Michael Regan, and native of the Tar Heel state, to lead the Environmental Protection Agency, picking up the pace for confirmations in President Joe Biden’s Cabinet.

Regan, who has served as North Carolina’s secretary of the Department of Environmental Quality since 2017, will help lead Biden’s efforts to address climate change and advocate for environmental justice, two of the administration’s top priorities. He is the first Black man to run the EPA.

[Biden picks North Carolina environmental chief to lead EPA]

Regan becomes the latest official to receive Senate confirmation to join the Biden administration. Earlier Wednesday, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said that by the end of the day, the Senate will have confirmed another three nominees -- including Regan, as well as Merrick Garland for attorney general and Rep. Marcia Fudge for secretary of Housing and Urban Development -- totaling 16 Cabinet-level officials.

A native of Goldsboro, Regan has a bachelor’s degree in Earth and Environmental Science from N.C. Agricultural and Technical State University and a master’s degree in Public Administration from George Washington University, according to DEQ’s website.

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