Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson confirmed this morning that she is to resign from her position, the Washington Post reports.
As well as setting standards to cut mercury and other toxins from coal power plant pollution and limits on the dumping of waste, Jackson has played a major part in reducing the emissions and consumption of passenger cars.
Jackson was instrumental in pushing for the 54.5 mpg Corporate Average Fuel Economy regulations for 2025, a standard which has been as supported in some quarters as it has been condemned by others.
Administrator Jackson worked closely with President Obama during his last term to clean up the emissions from cars, and thanked him for his honor and confidence in nominating her four years ago.
"I will leave the EPA confident the ship is sailing in the right direction, and ready in my own life for new challenges, time with my family and new opportunities to make a difference,” she said.
In return, the President issued a statement, saying, “Under her leadership, the EPA has taken sensible and important steps to protect the air we breathe and the water we drink... [and] a key role in establishing historic fuel economy standards that will save the average American family thousands of dollars at the pump while also slashing carbon pollution.”
Jackson will step down after the President's State of the Union Address next month. She has not yet accepted another job, and Obama has not yet picked her successor.
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