EPA names new No. 2

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is bringing back a retired leader from its Atlanta office to be the No. 2 official for the agency.

Stan Meiburg worked for the EPA since 1977, most recently as deputy regional administrator for the southeastern office before retiring earlier this year.

{mosads}EPA head Gina McCarthy announced Monday that Meiburg would become acting deputy administrator, replacing Lisa Feldt.

“Stan has had a long and distinguished career as deputy regional administrator in region 4,” McCarthy wrote in a memo to employees.

“Just a few months after he thought he retired, I asked Stan to come to Washington to help me deliver on the president’s agenda and EPA’s mission,” she said.

Meiburg will help the agency with its priorities in fight climate change, protecting water from pollution, cleaning contamination and toxic chemicals and other tasks, McCarthy said.

“His experience spans the agency, having worked closely on air, enforcement, toxics, operations and countless other EPA issues,” she said. “He’s literally done it all, and I know he’ll be a great addition to the team.”

Meiburg previously worked as deputy regional administrator for the south central region, based in Dallas. He started at the EPA in 1977 as a program analyst.

McCarthy did not say whether the White House would appoint Meiburg for the position, which would require Senate confirmation.

Throughout most of the Obama administration, Bob Perciasepe was the deputy EPA administrator.

Feldt, who served directly below Perciasepe, stepped into the job in August after he left. With Meiburg’s hiring, she is returning to her old job.