Bush Announces Pick for EPA Chief

Washington, D.C. -- President Bush has chosen Utah Gov. Mike Leavitt, a Republican, to head the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), according to news sources. Senate confirmation hearings, expected to be held after Congress returns from its August recess, will determine whether Leavitt will permanently replace former administrator Christine Whitman who resigned in May amid reports that she faced obstacles confronting conservative members of the Bush administration.

Environmental groups are questioning whether Leavitt will favor business interests over environmental concerns, but President Bush announced in Colorado, Aug. 11, that Leavitt has helped Utah achieve many improvements in air and water quality standards.