Jim Macy has been appointed as the new administrator for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Region 7, covering Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and nine tribal nations. The announcement was made by EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, following President Trump's decision.
"With decades of experience working to protect our energy and environment, Jim Macy is the right person at the right moment to lead Region 7," stated Zeldin. "I am proud to have him on team EPA and know that he will help exceptionally implement President Trump’s agenda across the region."
Macy expressed his gratitude for the appointment, saying, "It is an honor to be appointed by President Trump to implement a common-sense approach to protecting clean air, water, and land while promoting economic development." He emphasized his commitment to collaborating with various stakeholders in expanding environmental stewardship.
Deputy EPA Region 7 Administrator Edward H. Chu welcomed Macy's appointment: "He brings nearly 40 years of environmental protection experience to this role and is nationally recognized for his environmental leadership."
Before joining the EPA, Macy served as director of the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE), a position he was appointed to by then-Governor Pete Ricketts in 2015. He also played a significant role in merging Nebraska's Department of Environmental Quality with its Department of Energy in 2019.
Macy's career includes nearly three decades at the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MoDNR), where he held several positions including regional director of the Kansas City Regional Office.
The appointment has received positive reactions from various political figures. U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts praised Macy as "a great choice" for leading EPA’s Midwest Region. Similarly, U.S. Representative Sam Graves commended Macy's experience with farmers and ranchers in Missouri and Nebraska.
U.S. Representative Mike Flood highlighted Macy's regulatory experience and understanding of key issues affecting agriculture and manufacturing sectors in the Midwest.
Leaders from state natural resources departments also expressed their support. Kayla Lyon from Iowa emphasized Macy’s understanding of regional environmental issues while Kurt Schaefer from Missouri looked forward to partnering with him on compliance assistance initiatives.
