Radhika Fox to Lead EPA’s Water Office
WASHINGTON (June 16, 2021) – By a vote of 55-43, the Senate confirmed Radhika Fox as head of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Office of Water.
Seven Republicans crossed the aisle and joined every Democrat present to vote in favor of Fox’s nomination: Sens. Susan Collins (Maine), Lindsey Graham (S.C.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (Miss.), Roger Wicker (Miss.), Richard Burr (N.C.), Kevin Cramer (N.D.) and Lisa Murkowski (Alaska).
Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Chairman Tom Carper (D-Del.), praised Fox’s record and highlighted the organizations endorsing her for the position. These include the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Family Farm Alliance and the U.S. Water Alliance, where she previously served as CEO.
“What those organizations have said — again and again — about Radhika Fox is that she is an exceptional leader who will work day and night to come up with practical solutions to our country’s serious water challenges,” Carper said. “Moreover, Ms. Fox will make sure everyone’s point of view is heard and taken into account when EPA acts to protect our country’s precious water resources.”
The EPA’s Office of Water works to ensure that drinking water is safe, wastewater is safely returned to the environment, and surface waters are properly managed and protected.
Prior to joining EPA, Fox served as the Chief Executive Officer for the US Water Alliance, where she established herself as a widely recognized national thought leader on complex water issues, from equitable water management to investing in the nation’s water infrastructure.
Fox previously directed the policy and government affairs agenda for the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, which is responsible for providing 24/7 water, wastewater, and municipal power services to 2.6 million Bay Area residents.
Just one day prior to being confirmed, during the American Water Works Association ACE21 Virtual Show, Fox joined AWWA CEO David LaFrance for a discussion on the future of water in the U.S., policy considerations for the agency, and trends seen throughout the industry.
As for policy regarding Waters of the United States and the revised Lead & Copper Rule, Fox shared a similar message regarding both: discussions with those directly impacted by these rules are needed so the agency can understand the issues from as many perspectives as possible. She said it is important to her, the agency, EPA Administrator Michael Regan and to the Presidential administration, that the rules that EPA create endure and stand the test of time.
Fox also touched on the research EPA is conducting on PFAS, funding and financing programs available through EPA, WIFIA, and more.
“We can’t make policy sitting behind a desk in Washington, D.C.,” Fox said during the hearing. “We have to actively engage with all who are impacted by our decisions, whether it’s water utilities, farmers and ranchers, community orgs, environmental groups, states, tribes, local officials and many, many others.”
Fox holds a BA from Columbia University and a Masters in City and Regional Planning from the University of California at Berkeley where she was a HUD Community Development Fellow.