Kopocis Receives Senate EPW Thumbs Up
After a delay of nearly two years, Ken Kopocis has been confirmed by the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee in his candidacy as the next head of EPA’s Office of Water. His nomination now awaits attention on the Senate Floor where a simple majority is sufficient to approve the nomination. The delay in Kopocis’ confirmation has been attributed to issues related to what constitutes “waters of the U.S” – and hence, are subject to Clean Water Act jurisdiction and protections. A proposed EPA guidance document designed to clarify the matter is still under Office of Management and Budget review.
Two other EPA nominees also received Committee approval – James Jones as Director of the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention and Avi Garbow as General Counsel for the Agency. Both of these nominees received full Senate confirmation on August 1.
