Lisa Jackson

Statement of Lisa P. Jackson Administrator, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Legislative Hearing on the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act, Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works

10/27/2009 -- Chairman Boxer, Ranking Minority Member Inhofe, and members of the Committee, thank you for inviting me to testify about the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act.

I last appeared before this Committee on July 7. Since then, this Administration has, under President Obama’s leadership, taken unprecedented steps to decrease America’s dependence on oil, put our nation in the lead of the 21st Century energy economy, and reduce the greenhouse-gas pollution that threatens our children and grandchildren.    » read more »

October 15, 2009 -- Washington -- Congressman Artur Davis began circulating a letter today in the House of Representatives addressed to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson. The letter calls for the EPA to evaluate claims that coal ash poses health and environmental risks. The letter also seeks clarification from the EPA that would provide predictability and consistency for coal-reliant industries and state and local officials. The content of the letter is below.

October 14, 2009

The Honorable Lisa Jackson, Administrator
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Ariel Rios Building, Mail Code: 1101A
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20460

Dear Administrator Jackson:    » read more »

10/15/2009 -- WASHINGTON - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa P. Jackson announced today at a House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee hearing that the agency is stepping up its efforts on Clean Water Act enforcement. The Clean Water Action Enforcement Plan is a first step in revamping the compliance and enforcement program. It seeks to improve the protection of our nation’s water quality, raise the bar in federal and state performance and enhance public transparency.    » read more »

10/15/09 -- During a hearing of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, on which he serves as the Vice Chairman, Rep. Rahall asked, “Administrator Jackson, I would ask you, for the record, whether you believe that clarity and certainty is the goal in EPA’s reviews of coal mining permits? There are concerns that EPA is not providing clear cut direction – that coal operators are not being told what requirements they need to comply with and there is fear there are no clear rules of the game by which to seek mining permits.”    » read more »

October 15, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. –In advance of expected public health and safety rules on the disposal of coal byproducts by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) today sent a letter to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson asking for information on EPA’s findings related to coal byproducts, their health and public safety effects, and the basis for proper regulation of the substances.    » read more »

September 30, 2009 -- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson is announcing today a new proposal to reduce global warming emissions from the country's largest polluters. The proposal would require new coal plants and other large facilities to install global warming pollution controls.

Existing facilities would have to upgrade global warming pollution controls when the rest of the facility is modified or expanded to increase emissions by more than 10,000 tons. The proposed rule would only apply to sources emitting at least 25,000 tons of greenhouse gases each year, exempting small businesses, churches and apartment buildings, while still addressing the bulk of the nation's global warming pollution.    » read more »

New Interagency Program to Address Climate Change and Energy Security

September 15, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Ray LaHood and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lisa P. Jackson today jointly proposed a rule establishing an historic national program that would improve vehicle fuel economy and reduce greenhouse gases.    » read more »

6/17/2009 -- (Helena) – Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer, the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and the Montana Department of Health and Human Services (DPHHS) praise the decision by the Obama Administration to declare Libby a public health emergency.

“At last Washington D.C. is fully recognizing the plight of the communities of Libby and Troy,” said Governor Brian Schweitzer. “The designated funds will be used to make the communities healthier.”

The declaration, nearly ten years in the making, was announced this morning in Washington D.C. during a joint news conference with the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), US Department of Health and Human Services and Senators Max Baucus and Jon Tester.    » read more »

EPA to Move Aggressively on Cleanup and HHS to Assist Area Residents with Medical Care

June 17, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa P. Jackson today announced the agency has determined that a public health emergency exists at the Libby asbestos site in northwest Montana. Over the past years, hundreds of asbestos-related disease cases have been documented in this small community, which covers the towns of Libby and Troy.

The announcement was made today at a joint press conference with Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and U.S. Sens. Max Baucus and Jon Tester.    » read more »

Senators Call Announcement a "Monumental Victory"

June 17, 2009 -- (Washington D.C.) – After a nearly decade-long fight, Montana Senators Max Baucus and Jon Tester, joined by Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson and Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, today announced a long-awaited Public Health Emergency for Libby.

The Public Health Emergency determination requires the federal government to provide screenings and health care for Libby residents with asbestos-related disease. The Department of Health and Human Services is making available a short-term grant to provide needed asbestos-related medical care to Libby and Troy residents.    » read more »

June 16, 2009 -- WASHINGTON— AARP Executive Vice President for Social Impact Nancy LeaMond commended the partnership announced today by HUD, DOT and EPA to apply a series of “livability principles” to federal transportation, environmental protection and housing spending.

AARP has long advocated for livable communities that have affordable and appropriate housing options, supportive community features and services, and adequate mobility options which together facilitate personal health independence and engagement in community life.

LeaMond said:    » read more »

June 9, 2009 -- Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee (EPW) and Chairman of its Water and Wildlife Subcommittee, participated in a hearing today with Lisa Jackson, Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Scientific Integrity and Transparency Reforms at the EPA.    » read more »

June 8, 2009 -- On Tuesday, Francesca Grifo, program director of the Scientific Integrity Program at the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS), will urge Congress to take steps to protect federal scientists and their work from political interference.

Over the past eight years, Grifo and her staff played a lead role in blowing the whistle on the Bush administration's manipulation and suppression of federal science. More than 15,000 scientists signed a UCS petition denouncing the administration's actions.

The joint hearing, held by the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee and its Subcommittee on Oversight, will examine "Scientific Integrity and Transparency Reforms at the Environmental Protection Agency." EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson will testify earlier in the day.    » read more »

June 5, 2009 -- BISMARCK, N.D. - North Dakota Governor John Hoeven today spoke with Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson to request that EPA expedite his previous request to raise the ethanol blended gasoline variance to 15 percent from the current 10 percent blend.

The move would help to expand the market for domestically produced biofuels, according to Hoeven. The Governor, as chairman of the Governors Biofuels Coalition, made the formal request in February to President Barack Obama.

“The nation needs greater energy independence, and domestic ethanol producers need a boost under current market conditions,” Hoeven said. “Increasing the proportion of ethanol to 15 percent would move us closer to both goals.”    » read more »

Statement by Francesca Grifo, Union of Concerned Scientists

May 21, 2009 -- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lisa Jackson today announced the agency is reversing controversial changes to how science is used to set air pollution standards.

The Clean Air Act requires the EPA to establish National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for harmful pollutants using the best available science. For decades, EPA staff scientists worked with the independent Clean Air Science Advisory Committee to review the latest studies and recommend appropriate standards.    » read more »