The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee voted out the nomination of Gina McCarthy to head the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The nomination cleared the Senate panel by 10-8, with key Republicans voting no, including Sen. David Vitter (R-LA), the ranking member. He said his support for McCarthy’s nomination on the Senate floor would hinge on the nominee’s answers to Republicans’ requests involving greater transparency at the agency. All eight Republicans on the committee had boycotted an earlier vote, preventing the panel from advancing the appointment to the Senate floor. Democrats were unable at the time to establish a quorum despite holding a two-seat advantage on the panel. McCarthy’s nomination is not out of the woods yet. Sen. Roy Blunt (R-MO) still has a hold on McCarthy’s nomination over a dispute involving a water project in his state.

Thomas F. Darden was elevated to chairman emeritus at Quicksilver Resources Inc. after he announced his retirement; he plans to work through the end of the year. Darden would remain a board director and chairman emeritus. Darden plans to focus on pursuing a joint venture in British Columbia’s Horn River Basin, something that the Fort Worth, TX-based company has long sought. Following his retirement, Darden plans to continue to advise the company. W. Yandell Rogers, who has served as an independent director since March 1999, has been elected chairman.

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