Kasich's EPA director pick advances

COLUMBUS (AP) — Gov. John Kasich’s pick to lead the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency has been recommended for confirmation.

Craig Butler has been serving as the agency’s director since early January. Kasich first appointed him in an interim capacity, then as full-time director starting in February.

His confirmation was recommended for approval today in an 8-2 vote of the Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee. Butler’s appointment now requires full Senate approval.

Butler was previously the administration’s senior policy adviser on environmental, energy, public utility and agricultural issues. He also worked as district director of the Ohio EPA’s central district and southeast district offices.

He replaced Scott Nally, who resigned.