WASHINGTON, DC, March 5, 2013 -- President Obama has announced Gina McCarthy as his choice for the next administrator of the US Environmental Protection Agency. McCarthy is currently Assistant Administrator of EPA's Office of Air and Radiation. If confirmed, she would succeed current Administrator Lisa Jackson, who announced in December her intention to step down.

The nomination has received widespread support from the environmental and water communities. AWWA Executive Director David LaFrance issued the following statement:

"As Assistant Administrator of EPA's Office of Air and Radiation, Gina McCarthy has distinguished herself as someone who is dedicated to her agency's mission and committed to listening to those she regulates. Her openness to hearing diverse points of view bodes well for her success as Administrator.

"As the top official at EPA dealing with climate change over the past four years, Assistant Administrator McCarthy well understands that climate change may have huge implications for water providers.

"AWWA stands ready to assist her by providing the best objective information and insights from water professionals across the country."

Frances Beinecke, president of the Natural Resources Defense Council, said:

"Gina McCarthy knows what it means to protect our air, water, land and health and stand up to the growing threats we're seeing from climate change.

"She's a good listener, a straight shooter and someone who has what it takes to build consensus and find solutions. We can count on her to protect our environment and our health. And she can count on our support as she works to get the job done on behalf of Americans everywhere."

Tom Kiernan, President, National Parks Conservation Association, said:

"Yesterday's nomination of Gina McCarthy to serve as the next administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) by President Obama is a strong step forward in improving and protecting the health and vitality of our national parks and the people who visit and live near them.

"In her tenure at the EPA, Gina has proven to be a pragmatic leader in fulfilling the demands of landmark legislation like the Clean Water Act and the Clean Air Act, both of which are integral to the long term health of our national parks.

"We expect her to continue the visionary work that has helped in the environmental restoration of the Chesapeake Bay and the Great Lakes and to keep our other park waters clean and protected through strong EPA guidance and the best science available.