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 | Dionne Delli-Gatti |
| 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 environmental expert. He served as the 16th Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under President Joe Biden. His term was from 2021 to 2024. He was the first African American man to hold this important job.
Before working for the EPA, Regan was the secretary of North Carolina's Department of Environmental Quality. He also worked as an air quality specialist at the United States Environmental Protection Agency earlier in his career.
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Early Life and School
Michael Regan grew up in Goldsboro, North Carolina. His mother, Mavis Regan, was a nurse. His father, Zeb Stuart Regan Jr., was a Vietnam War veteran and a retired colonel. He also worked as an agricultural agent. Michael has one brother and one sister. When he was young, he enjoyed hunting and fishing with his father and grandfather.
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.
Starting His Career
Michael Regan began his career at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). He worked there from 1998 to 2008. After that, he joined the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF). This group works to protect the environment. At EDF, he became an associate vice president for clean energy. He also directed their Southeast region. He worked at EDF for more than eight years.
Leading North Carolina's Environment Department
In 2017, Roy Cooper, the governor of North Carolina, chose Regan to lead the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality. During his time there, Regan started a special board. This board focused on environmental justice and fairness. It helped make sure that all communities, especially those often overlooked, had a say in environmental decisions.
Regan also helped create North Carolina's Clean Energy Plan. This plan aimed to lower pollution from businesses by 2030. The goal was to have zero carbon pollution by 2050. The plan also looked for ways to use new, clean energy technologies. It aimed to create jobs in both rural and city areas. Regan also led a council that worked on climate change. This group helped Governor Cooper reach his goal of carbon neutrality.
In 2020, Regan reached an agreement with Duke Energy. This agreement led to the biggest cleanup of coal ash pollution in U.S. history. The company agreed to remove millions of tons of ash. His department also made the company Chemours stop dumping harmful chemicals called PFAS into the Cape Fear River. This river is a major source of drinking water.
Leading the Environmental Protection Agency
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Becoming EPA Administrator
In December 2020, President Joe Biden announced that he would nominate Michael Regan 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 Regan's nomination. The full Senate then confirmed him on March 10, 2021. He officially started his role on March 11, 2021.
His Work at the EPA
Michael Regan was the first Black man to lead the EPA. He worked to help the Biden administration fight climate change. He also promoted new green energy ideas. A big part of his job was to address environmental racism. This means making sure that all communities, especially those with less power, are protected from pollution.
Under his leadership, the EPA worked with the United States Army. They updated rules about which waters and wetlands the federal government protects. This was done under the Clean Water Act.
Regan announced on December 20, 2024, that he would leave his position. His last day was December 31, 2024.
Personal Life
Michael Regan lives in Raleigh, North Carolina, with his wife, Melvina. They have a son named Matthew. Their first son, Michael Stanley Regan Jr., passed away when he was very young.
