Environmental Protection Agency

1970 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20460 202-260-2090 $7.6 billion 18,657 The EPA conducts environmental research and enforces federal laws aimed at protecting human health and the environment. The agency regulates air and water pollution, hazardous-waste disposal and cleanup, pesticides, toxic substances, drinking water, noise pollution, and radiation. It also issues statements on the impact of operations of other federal agencies on the environment. Administrator 202-564-4700 Whitman took Washington by storm when she joined the Administration in early 2001 after her unanimous confirmation by the Senate. In her first days on the job, Whitman aggressively promoted Bush's campaign promise to curb U.S. emissions of carbon dioxide and other pollutants from coal-fired power plants. But her star quickly plunged when Bush reversed his decision to regulate carbon dioxide, which causes global warming. Whitman took it on the chin again in early May, when she suggested that the Administration might back away from its support for new oil drilling in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, only to have the White House contradict her. Little wonder, then, that both environmentalists and conservatives now say that Whitman, who is a moderate, is not among Bush's most plugged-in advisers. She came to the EPA after serving seven years as the governor of New Jersey, where she was known for cutting taxes, toughening state laws on crime, and preserving open space. Whitman, 55, grew up in Oldwick, N.J., in a staunchly Republican family and graduated from Wheaton College in Norton, Mass. She has served as president of the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, as a member of the Somerset County Board of Freeholders, and on the staff of the Republican National Committee. In 1990, Whitman came close to defeating then-Sen. Bill Bradley, D-N.J., in his bid for re-election. At the EPA, Whitman oversees a mosaic of environmental laws governing air and water pollution, toxic chemicals, pesticides, and hazardous-waste disposal and cleanup. She's a firm advocate of Bush's proposals to give state governments more control over environmental programs. Deputy Administrator 202-564-4711 Bush filled the EPA's No. 2 slot with a politically savvy former chemical-industry executive. Fisher, 48, served five years as Monsanto Co.'s point person in Washington on genetically modified foods. Her ties to industry have drawn criticism from some environmental activists, who contend that she'll bring a pro-industry bias to her new post. In response to those concerns, Fisher has agreed to recuse herself from issues dealing with Monsanto and with biotechnology products. Before joining the chemical industry, Fisher worked for the Washington law firm of Latham and Watkins. More important, she also spent 10 years at the EPA during the Reagan and first Bush Administrations, rising from within the ranks to become the assistant administrator for pollution prevention, pesticides, and toxic substances. In the 1970s, she served as a staff member to two House Republicans. A native of Saginaw, Mich., Fisher has a bachelor's degree from Miami University of Ohio, an MBA from George Washington University, and a law degree from Ohio State University. decision makers