The nomination of Utah Governor Michael O. Leavitt as head of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency sends a signal that federalism is a key component of the Bush administration’s approach to regulation. Does it signal that the states will play a greater role in not only the administration of environmental programs, but perhaps in policy-making as well?
Two former U.S. EPA Administrators, William K. Reilly and Carol Browner, will be joined by two current state environmental agency directors to explore the current and future shape of national environmental policy and policy-making. The discussion takes place at a time when the balance in environmental regulation is shifting, and when critical issues, such as smog, acid rain, nonpoint water pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions, transcend state boundaries.These political issues of power — which include, importantly, several lawsuits coming from states — are set within the context of ever growing budgetary pressures on the administration of delegated programs and also constitutional battles in the courts about the very ability of government to protect the environment through regulation.
William K. Reilly was Administrator of U.S. EPA during the first Bush Administration. Carol Browner headed the agency during the Clinton Administration. Joining them will be Bradley M. Campbell, Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, and Christopher Jones, Director of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency. ELI President Leslie Carothers, former Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection and also Deputy Regional Administrator of U.S. EPA, will moderate the panel.
"Accelerating Federalism and The Future of EPA" is the 2003 Environmental Law Institute — Miriam Hamilton Keare Policy Forum. It will be held on Wednesday, October 8, 2003, from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C., located at 2500 Calvert St. N.W. It is on the record and open to the press.The Forum is an annual event held in conjunction with the ELI Award Dinner, which follows the Forum. The 2003 ELI Award will be presented to William K. Reilly by Representative Christopher Shays (R- Connecticut), who will deliver an address. Members of the press are also invited to the Award Dinner, which is on the record.
For more information, please contact Stephen R. Dujack at 703 824 0854 or dujack@eli.org.