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Oil industry frets over new EPA chief

WASHINGTON, July 19 (UPI) -- Gina McCarthy is expected to align policies at the EPA with an energy strategy that's putting the United States in a leadership position, the oil industry said.

The U.S. Senate confirmed McCarthy as head of the Environmental Protection Agency in a 59-40 vote Thursday, ending one of the longest stalemates over an Obama Cabinet-level appointee.

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Jack Gerard, president of the American Petroleum Institute, said McCarthy should consider U.S. oil and natural gas interests during her tenure.

"President Obama has laid out a vision for an 'all-of-the-above' energy strategy, and we hope McCarthy's leadership will align the agency's regulations with that vision. It's critical for American jobs, revenue for our government, and our energy security," he said in a statement Thursday.

API said when Obama nominated McCarthy in March it was concerned about "unnecessary" environmental regulations putting the U.S. economy at stake.

The environmental group Sierra Club, meanwhile, said it was frustrated it took 137 days to approve the nomination of McCarthy, long-time assistant EPA administrator under former chief Lisa Jackson.

"After dedicating her 25-year career to protecting our air and water, Gina McCarthy has a proven record of protecting American families and getting things done," Sierra Club Executive Director Michael Brune said in a statement.

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