Michael S. Regan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Michael Regan
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Official portrait, 2021
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| 16th Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency | |
| In office March 11, 2021 – December 31, 2024 |
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| President | Joe Biden |
| Deputy | Janet McCabe Jane Nishida (acting) |
| Preceded by | Andrew R. Wheeler |
| Succeeded by | Lee Zeldin |
| 2nd Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality | |
| In office January 3, 2017 – March 11, 2021 |
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| Governor | Roy Cooper |
| Preceded by | Donald van der Vaart |
| Succeeded by | Elizabeth Biser |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Michael Stanley Regan
August 6, 1976 Goldsboro, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Melvina |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | North Carolina A&T State University (BS) George Washington University (MPA) |
Michael Stanley Regan (born August 6, 1976) is an American expert who helps protect our environment. He was the 16th leader of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under President Joe Biden. He held this important job from 2021 to 2024. Michael Regan was the first African American man to lead the EPA.
Before working for the national EPA, Regan was the secretary for North Carolina's Department of Environmental Quality. He also worked as an air quality specialist for the EPA earlier in his career.
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Early Life and Education
Michael Regan grew up in Goldsboro, North Carolina. His mother, Mavis Regan, was a nurse for nearly 30 years. His father, Zeb Stuart Regan Jr., was a Vietnam War veteran and a retired colonel in the North Carolina Army National Guard. He also worked as an agricultural agent.
Growing up, Michael enjoyed hunting and fishing with his father and grandfather. They spent time in the inner coastal plain of North Carolina.
Regan went to North Carolina A&T State University. There, he earned a degree in earth and environmental science. Later, he studied at George Washington University in Washington, D.C.. He received a master's degree in public administration from there.
Early Career in Environmental Protection
Michael Regan started his career helping to protect the environment in 1998. He worked for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for about ten years. This was during the time of the Clinton and Bush administrations.
After his time at the EPA, he joined the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF). This is a group that works to solve environmental problems. At EDF, he became an important leader focusing on clean energy. He worked there for more than eight years.
Leading North Carolina's Environment Department
In 2017, the governor of North Carolina, Roy Cooper, chose Michael Regan for a big job. He became the secretary of the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality.
During his time in this role, Regan started a special board. This board focused on environmental justice. This means making sure that all communities, especially those that have been overlooked, get fair treatment in environmental matters.
He also helped create North Carolina's Clean Energy Plan. This plan aims to lower pollution from businesses by 2030. The goal is to have zero net carbon pollution by 2050. The plan also encourages new clean energy ideas. It creates opportunities for both city and country areas in North Carolina. Regan also led a group working on climate change for the state.
In 2020, Regan reached a major agreement with Duke Energy. This agreement led to the largest cleanup of coal ash pollution in U.S. history. The company agreed to remove millions of tons of ash. His department also told the company Chemours to stop dumping harmful chemicals called PFAS into the Cape Fear River. This river is a major source of drinking water.
Regan generally had support from environmental groups. However, he did approve permits for the Atlantic Coast Pipeline in 2018. This project was later canceled.
Leading the Environmental Protection Agency
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Becoming EPA Administrator
In December 2020, it was announced that Michael Regan would be chosen to lead the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Many former EPA staff members supported his nomination.
On February 9, 2021, a Senate committee voted to approve his nomination. The full Senate then confirmed him on March 10, 2021. He officially started his job on March 11, 2021.
His Work at the EPA
As the head of the EPA, Michael Regan was the first Black man to hold this position. He worked to help the Biden administration fight climate change. He also promoted new ideas for green energy. A key part of his work was addressing the unfair effects of pollution on certain communities, known as environmental racism.
Under his leadership, the EPA worked with the U.S. Army to update rules. These rules define which waters and wetlands are protected by the federal government under the Clean Water Act.
Michael Regan announced in December 2024 that he would leave his position at the end of the year.
Personal Life
Michael Regan lives in Raleigh, North Carolina. He lives there with his wife, Melvina, and their son, Matthew. Their first son, Michael Stanley Regan Jr., sadly passed away in 2012 at the age of one.
