It's Johnson for EPA

President George W. Bush has nominated Stephen Johnson to become the next administrator of the Washington-based U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Johnson, who has been with the EPA for 24 years in various capacities, has been its acting administrator since January, when he took over for Michael Leavitt, who became the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services.

In his press conference announcing the nomination, Bush praised Johnson as “a talented scientist and skilled manager with a lifelong commitment to environmental stewardship.”

Johnson became the EPA's deputy administrator last August. Other titles he has held at the agency include assistant administrator of the EPA's Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances.

As of press time, the U.S. Senate had not voted on Johnson's confirmation.