joining me now is kate sheppard who joins us from washington, d.c. kate, thanks for being here. are environmental groups reacting to the pick of gina mccarthy for epa? >> environmental groups are really excited to have gina mccarthy at the head of the epa. all of the best things in terms of regulations have come out of her office of air and radiation, she is behind new greenhouse emission rules and her office has been working on rules for old power plants as well and i think that she'll be a tough leader of the epa going forward. >> michael: tell me about her confirmation process. you say all of these great things about her as a environmentalist, that makes me think the republicans aren't going to want her. >> she is an interesting case. republicans in congress have not been as enthusiastic about the president's regulatory agenda. they tried to withhold her nomination when she was being considered as a deputy. i think she'll clear through. she has a proven record of working in a bipartisan way. she worked under mitt romney when he was governor of massachusetts, and she has a rea