Muthiah: Gina McCarthy’s Leadership of EPA is a Win for Clean Cooking Solutions and a Healthier Planet
Washington (July 18, 2013) – The U.S. Senate voted today to confirm Gina McCarthy as the next Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, where she currently serves as the Assistant Administrator of the Office of Air and Radiation. In that capacity, McCarthy has been a champion of raising awareness about household air pollution and the importance of clean cooking solutions. The EPA is a founding partner of the Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves, the public –private partnership launched by then-Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and led by the United Nations Foundation.
Alliance executive director Radha Muthiah released the following statement on McCarthy’s confirmation:
“On behalf of the Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves, I congratulate Gina McCarthy on her confirmation as Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
“I have had the privilege to get to know Administrator McCarthy over these last two years, and whether you’ve known her for just two minutes or more than two decades, it is quite clear that she is a consummate public servant who has a deep understanding of and experience with policies and programs that make the earth a cleaner, healthier place for all people to live.
“That is why she has been such an incredible advocate for clean cooking solutions and the Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves. Under her leadership, the EPA’s Partnership for Clean Indoor Air – in many ways a forerunner to the Alliance – merged with the Alliance to streamline our mutual work in creating a robust, global market for clean cookstoves and fuels, particularly in areas such as research, testing, and standards.
“Administrator McCarthy will be a thoughtful and pragmatic EPA Administrator for the American people. And because environmental and climate issues are not just confined to national borders, she will also be a strong voice for actions that improve the quality of life for billions of people worldwide as she takes a leadership role in President Obama’s efforts to combat global climate change.
“The Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves looks forward to continuing our multifaceted work with the EPA under Administrator McCarthy’s strong leadership to create better health and environmental outcomes for the three billion people cooking with solid fuels each day.
“Her impassioned voice and signature style will help ensure that the Alliance’s motto – cooking shouldn’t kill – becomes a reality in our lifetimes.”
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Media Contact:
Sean Bartlett | 1.202.683.0453 | sbartlett@unfoundation.org
About the Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves:
The Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves is a public-private partnership led by the United Nations Foundation to save lives, improve livelihoods, empower women, and protect the environment by creating a thriving global market for clean and efficient household cooking solutions. The Alliance’s 100 by ‘20 goal calls for 100 million households to adopt clean and efficient cookstoves and fuels by 2020. The Alliance is working with its public, private and non-profit partners to help overcome the market barriers that currently impede the production, deployment, and use of clean cookstoves in developing countries. For more information, please visit www.cleancookstoves.org.