Brenda Mallory becomes first Black American to head WH environmental council

In a bipartisan vote, the US Senate on Wednesday confirmed Brenda Mallory, President Joe Biden’s nomination, as the new chair of the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), the first African-American to hold the post.

She is set to be the 12th Chair of CEQ, a role that involves serving as the principal environmental policy advisor to the president.

ALSO READ | Ex-President, Speaker and Secretary: See who backs Biden’s Afghan decision

Following her Senate approval, Mallory thanked the Senate for their support and said she was ready to “confront climate change, pursue environmental justice, help conserve our nation’s lands and waters, and build a clean energy future,” in a tweet.

She will work with all stakeholders to advance efficient permitting approaches that examine environmental consequences and engage affected communities.

ALSO READ | Rights of Afghan women will be protected, says US President Joe Biden

“By helping forge unity of purpose – across communities, across the country, and across government – CEQ will help our nation rise to the environmental challenges of our time, from climate change and the nature crisis to the environmental injustices that have plagued our country for too long,” said Mallory, according to a statement from the White House.

Mallory will bring to the job nearly four decades of experience in environmental law and policy, including public service in four presidential administrations.