[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin today urged President Bush to act quickly to fill the post left vacant yesterday by the announcement that Mary Gade, the Regional Administrator for the EPA Region 5, has been placed on administrative leave. Additionally, Durbin notified the President of his request for a meeting with Steven Johnson, the Administrator of the EPA, to discuss a Chicago Tribune report that Gade’s dismissal came as a result of her stance for the environment and against strong corporate opposition.

“News of Ms. Gade’s removal came on the same day that Indiana forwarded its final draft air permit for the BP Whiting plant to EPA Region 5 for its review,” Durbin wrote. “These actions have, once again, left the Environmental Protection Agency with the appearance that it is placing the interests of big polluters ahead of protecting local communities and the environment. I urge you to act swiftly to fill this important position with an administrator who will protect Lake Michigan and the communities that surround it. Given the critical environmental issues that this office must address, we cannot afford delay or inaction.”

The text of letter appears below:

Dear Mr. President,

I am very concerned about the news that Mary Gade, the Regional Administrator for EPA Region 5, has been placed on administrative leave. These actions have, once again, left the Environmental Protection Agency with the appearance that it is placing the interests of big polluters ahead of protecting local communities and the environment. I urge you to act swiftly to fill this important position with an administrator who will protect Lake Michigan and the communities that surround it. Given the critical environmental issues that this office must address, we cannot afford delay or inaction.

News of Ms. Gade’s removal came on the same day that Indiana forwarded its final draft air permit for the BP Whiting plant to EPA Region 5 for its review. Region 5 also faces other very important matters involving the health of Lake Michigan and the residents who live on its shores. While I did not always agree with the positions Ms. Gade took as the Administrator of Region 5, it seems shortsighted to leave the region without a regional administrator -- especially at this time. EPA Region 5 needs the active leadership of an administrator who puts the environment first.

I have asked for a meeting with the Administrator of EPA so that I can better understand why Ms. Gade has been placed on administrative leave, and whether press reports that it was because she had been taking a stand for the environment against strong corporate opposition are accurate.

I again urge you to quickly select someone who has strong credentials as a protector of the environment so that this important position does not remain open, especially in light of the pending environmental issues facing our region.

Sincerely,
Richard J. Durbin
United States Senator