Ms. Epstein is a licensed professional engineer whose work has focused on developing performance measures for various industries and advancing pollution and accident prevention. She has authored several studies on the oil refining industry, underground storage tanks, and toxic chemical pollution. Ms. Epstein holds a master's degree in civil engineering from Stanford University.

The appointment would fill one of two vacancies on the five-member Board, which was created by the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990. Ms. Epstein would join current Board Members Drs. Andrea Taylor, Gerald Poje, and Isadore (Irv) Rosenthal. Board Member Paul L. Hill, Jr., resigned from the Board last Friday.

Board spokesman Dr. Andrea Taylor commented, "I welcome the support of the President for the Chemical Safety Board, as shown by this most recent nomination. An effective, fully staffed Board is one of the important near-term goals identified in the Board's Five-Year Strategic Plan. While the timing of Ms. Epstein's nomination may preclude consideration by the 106th Congress, I encourage the next President, acting with the advice and consent of the Senate, to take prompt action to bring the Board to full membership."

The CSB is an independent federal agency whose mission is to ensure the safety of workers and the public by preventing chemical incidents. The CSB is a scientific investigatory organization, not an enforcement or regulatory body. The Board determines the root causes of accidents, issues safety recommendations, and performs special studies on chemical safety issues. The Board began operations in 1998 and has operated without a Chair since January 12, 2000.

Source: Press Release from the CSB (http:://www.chemsafety.gov).