FOR MORE INFORMATION:
JOSEPH CASPER: (703) 620-0010, Ext.115
E-mail:  jcasper@bia.org

BRICK INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION BACKS LEAVITT TO LEAD EPA

Bush Cites Leavitt's Sound Environmental Policy, Experience, Consensus-Building Style

RESTON, Va., Aug. 26, 2003  The Brick Industry Association (BIA) supports President Bush's intent to nominate Utah Gov. Michael Leavitt as the new administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). On Aug. 11, the president said that Leavitt understands the importance of clear standards in every environmental policy, respects state and local governments' ability to meet those standards and rejects the old ways of command and control from above.

"Governor Leavitt is widely respected for leading and encouraging sound environmental policy, said BIA President and CEO Dick Jennison. "He offers exemplary executive experience, along with an effective, consensus-building style when addressing competing interests in policy discussions, he said.

If confirmed, Leavitt, 52, would leave Utah a year before his third, four-year term ends. He would succeed former EPA Administrator Christine Todd Whitman, who held the position for the first two and a half years of the Bush administration before resigning in May.

An advocate of shifting environmental regulation to the states, Leavitt's environmental record includes co-chairing the Western Regional Air Partnership of 13 states, 13 Native American tribes, three federal agencies, environmentalists and industry to reduce brown haze over the Grand Canyon, among other, major initiatives.  

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The Brick Industry Association (BIA), Reston, Va., is a non-profit trade association representing the manufacturers, distributors and suppliers of clay brick. BIA's 40 manufacturers operate nearly 150 plants that produce more than 85 percent of the brick shipped in the U.S. and Canada.  BIA also represents  149 U.S. brick distributors.  Web site: www.gobrick.com.