The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee today held a confirmation hearing for Council on Environmental Quality Chair nominee Brenda Mallory. During Q&A, U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) discussed the impact of climate change on the ocean, expressed his hope that Mallory will “look hard” at ocean and coastal issues including the flood insurance program along the coasts, and noted his work with Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-AK) on marine debris.
Asked by Whitehouse to specifically comment on the role of oceans at CEQ, Mallory said she fully expects it “to be a part of the agenda” and noted CEQ’s partnership with the Office of Science and Technology Policy “because of all the changes that you were describing…in terms of figuring out what is the path forward,” saying she “fully expect[s] to participate in that process.”
Mallory has been serving as Director of Regulatory Policy at the Southern Environmental Law Center, and previously served as CEQ General Counsel and EPA Acting General Counsel and Principal Deputy General Counsel. She also previously served as Executive Director and Senior Counsel for the Conservation Litigation Project and Director at Beveridge and Diamond.