President Obama announced he plans to nominate Jim Jones, a long-time EPA employee, to serve as the agency’s assistant administrator for the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, which is responsible for chemicals, pesticides, and pollution prevention programs. Jones has been serving in an acting role in that post since Dec. 1, after Steve Owens resigned.

Jones is familiar with EPA's chemicals and pesticides programs, having previously served as director of the Office of Pesticide Programs from 2003-2007 and as deputy assistant administrator for Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention from 2007-2011. This nomination requires Senate confirmation.