STATEMENT OF SENATOR BOB SMITH
COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS
HEARING ON THE NOMINATIONS OF
MR. W. MICHAEL MCCABE
MR. ERIC D. EBERHARD
FEBRUARY 3, 2000

Good morning. The purpose of today's hearing is to consider two nominations.

The first nomination is that of W. Michael McCabe nominated to serve as Deputy Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.

As the new Chairman of the Committee, I plan to hold a series of oversight hearings to examine EPA's budget, prioritization of resources, and overall performance.

My colleagues and I have a number of questions for Mr. McCabe today on EPA-related concerns that I hope he will be able to answer for us.

The second nomination is that of Eric D. Eberhard nominated to serve as a Member of the Board of Trustees for the Morris K. Udall Scholarship and Excellence in National Environmental Policy Foundation.

I am pleased to report that Mr. McCabe and Mr. Eberhard are well qualified for their positions.

I welcome them today and I also welcome Senator Biden, who is here today to introduce Mr. McCabe.

Michael McCabe

The President has nominated W. Michael McCabe to serve as Deputy Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.

The Deputy Administrator for EPA works with the Administrator to provide Agency leadership and is the Acting Administrator in the Administrator's absence.

Mr. McCabe has served as EPA's Acting Deputy Administrator since last November.

Formerly, Mr. McCabe was Regional Administrator of the EPA's Region 3 where he lead the implementation of federal environmental programs in the Middle Atlantic states.

He also has worked for Senator Biden of Delaware as Communications and Projects Director and advisor on Delaware issues, and as Staff Director of the House Energy Conservation and Power Subcommittee.

He received a B.A. from Duke University.

He is accompanied today by his wife, Maria.

Eric D. Eberhard

The President has nominated Eric D. Eberhard to serve as a Member of the Board of Trustees for the Morris K. Udall Scholarship and Excellence in National Environmental Policy Foundation.

Currently, Mr. Eberhard is a partner at Dorsey & Whitney where he practices in the areas of Federal Indian Law, Environment and Natural Resources, Gaming and legislation.

Formerly, he was Staff Director and Counsel on the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs and Minority Staff Director and Counsel for the Committee.

He served for two years as Legislative Counsel for Senator John McCain of Arizona.

Mr. Eberhard received a B.S. in Political Science from Western Reserve University, a J.D. from the University of Cincinnati College of Law, and a LL.M. from George Washington University National Law Center.

Morris K. Udall Scholarship and Excellence in National Environmental Policy Foundation

The Morris K. Udall Scholarship and Excellence in National Environmental Policy Foundation was established by Congress in 1992 to educate and prepare a new generation of Americans in effective environmental public policy conflict resolution.

Based in Tucson, Arizona, the Foundation's activities are supported by the interest accrued in a federal trust fund and contributions from the private sector.

Now we will hear the statements of Senator Baucus and other Committee members. Then, Senator Biden, will introduce Mr. McCabe and we will hear testimony from our nominees.