WASHINGTON - US President George W. Bush on Friday announced the nomination of Stephen Johnson to serve as the new head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Johnson, 53, will take over from Mike Leavitt, who was appointed to head the Department of Health and Human Services in December. Johnson had been serving as acting administrator of the EPA since January.
"Steve Johnson is a talented scientist and skilled manager with a lifelong commitment to environmental stewardship," Bush said in announcing the nomination, which must now be approved by the Senate.
The president added that Johnson would be the first career EPA employee to head the agency.
"He knows the EPA from the ground up and has a passion for its mission, to protect the health of our citizens and to guarantee the quality of our air, water and land for generations to come," Bush said.
He added: "Steve shares my conviction that we can improve the Earth while maintaining a vibrant and competitive economy."
The environment has been a sensitive issue for the administration, whose positions have often drawn criticism and opposition from environmentalists and the international community.
The appointment is one of many Bush has made in recent months, as he restructures his cabinet after winning a second term in the November 2004 elections.
03/04/2005 15:24 GMT - AFP