State Sen. Phil Rockefeller was named this week as a candidate
to lead the Environmental Protection Agency’s four-state Northwest
region.
Rockefeller, a Bainbridge Island Democrat, said he’d likely take
the job if it’s offered to him.
“I’d be honored,” he said. “But I love my current job and I’d be
happy to stay in the Legislature.”
A strong advocate for environmental protections, Rockefeller
said he’s not been informed who or how many other candidates are in
the running for the EPA post. He is also unsure when a decision
will be made.
“It’s a long process,” he said. “And I’m just one of many
candidates for the position.”
Rockefeller has made protecting the environment a hallmark of
his two Senate terms and three terms in the state House of
Representatives. He helped develop the Puget Sound Partnership,
which is leading renewed cleanup efforts, and toughened auto
emission standards.
As administrator of the EPA’s Region 10, which includes
Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Alaska, Rockefeller would oversee
enforcement and implementation of federal environmental rules and
regulations. Region 10 includes 650 employees and has an annual
budget of $500 million.
With the Obama Administration now in charge, Rockefeller
foresees a larger budget and expanded role for the EPA.
“Looking ahead, I see more federal resources to clean up our
water and air,” he said.
If selected for the post, Rockefeller promised to focus greater
attention on the clean up of Puget Sound and the Columbia
River.
Rockefeller contrasted the expansive opportunities to improve
the environment at federal level with the shrinking prospects at
the state level.
“Right now the state’s starved for funds,” he said, noting the
state’s budget deficit of almost $9 billion.
If he vacates his Senate seat, the 23rd Legislative District
Democrats would choose three nominees to serve in his place. The
Kitsap County Board of Commissioners would appoint one of the three
nominees to serve the remaining three and a half years of
Rockefeller’s four-year term.
