Crapo: Leavitt Has Commitment To A Clean Environment

Washington, DC â?? Following this morningâ??s hearing before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee on the nomination of Utah Governor Mike Leavitt as EPA Administrator, Idaho Senator Mike Crapo expressed his support for the Governor. Crapo, a member of the committee, said that during the hearing, Leavitt focused on issues he'll address at EPA and fielded questions about President Bush's environmental policy. If confirmed, Leavitt would succeed former New Jersey Governor Christie Whitman, who resigned the EPA post earlier this year.â??Governor Leavitt is obviously very committed to clean air, water, and human health,â?? Crapo said. â??It is not unexpected that in this political climate people would use this hearing as a forum to attack the President and debate his environmental policies, but it is very clear that Leavitt is an excellent choice and a qualified candidate. He has consistently demonstrated leadership, courage, and creativity in dealing with environmental questions in his home state. Above all, he has focused on collaborative solutions to environmental problems, recognizing the need to bring people together on polarizing issues to reach manageable solutions. Governor Leavitt is well-qualified to navigate and negotiate the issues important to Idaho and the West.â??# # #