Washington (December 17, 2020) – Senator Edward J. Markey, member of the Environment and Public Works Committee and co-author of the Green New Deal resolution, released the following statement after media reported that former Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator and Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) President Gina McCarthy will be named the Biden administration’s domestic climate czar.
 
“There’s no one better to be at the tip of the spear in the fight against climate change than Gina McCarthy,” said Senator Markey. “Gina is one of the most skilled and tenacious climate warriors with whom I’ve had the honor to work. She has leadership ability and universal respect to coordinate all aspects of this existential threat, and will be ready on Day 1 to make progress on clean energy and climate solutions. If there is anyone who can enact a bold vision, coordinate a whole-of-government response, and hit the ground running, it’s Gina McCarthy.
 
“For climate action to be a day-one priority, our work cannot wait until January 20, 2021—it must begin now as the Biden team determines personnel appointments and agency agendas. We need a government-wide approach that includes a strong domestic climate office, with the new climate czar reporting directly to the President and endowed with all the powers necessary to direct a national climate strategy across all federal departments and agencies, with environmental and climate justice at the forefront of this strategy.
 
“I am confident that under a Biden-Harris administration, we will pursue the most comprehensive climate agenda our country has ever known. We will not stop fighting until we take the bold, aggressive action that the science tells us is necessary and make the Green New Deal a reality.”