How Green Are Obama's Cabinet Picks?

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The Picks

Lisa Jackson.

EPA Administrator: Lisa Jackson

While many enviros have had nice things to say about Jackson, she's been a controversial figure in New Jersey, where she served as commissioner of the Department of Environmental Protection from February 2006 to November 2008. Some N.J. groups say she's done great work on climate, energy, and clean water, but others have been critical, particularly of her handling of toxic waste sites.

More background on Jackson.

At her Jan. 14 confirmation hearing, Jackson promised that "scientific integrity and the rule of law" would be her guiding principles at the EPA.

Steven Chu.

Secretary of Energy: Steven Chu

Steven Chu, Nobel Prize-winning physicist and director of the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, has been an advocate for clean energy and is widely respected in the environmental community. Watch him discuss energy issues.

At his Jan. 13 confirmation hearing, Chu was warmly received, but quizzed about his skepticism toward coal.

Ken Salazar.

Secretary of the Interior: Ken Salazar

Some grassroots conservationists from the West are unhappy with the Salazar nomination, though some big, national green groups are saying nice things about him.

Background on Salazar.

At his Jan. 15 confirmation hearing, Salazar pledged to "clean up the mess" at the Department of Interior.

Tom Vilsack.

Secretary of Agriculture: Tom Vilsack

The sustainable-agriculture community is disappointed in the choice of Vilsack, who has been a big booster of agribusiness and genetically modified crops. But two Iowa food activists say Vilsack is someone progressives can work with (see here and here).

Read a 2007Grist interview with Vilsack.

Vilsack encountered no resistance at his Jan. 14 confirmation hearing.