Smith clears committee for appointment as head of state environmental quality

Members of a Senate legislative confirmation committee unanimously endorsed Amanda Smith as the new director of the State Department of Environmental Quality Tuesday.

The thumbs-up approval by the Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment Confirmation Committee pushes Smith's nomination before the full Senate on Sept. 16.

"I believe I am up to the challenges if I am confirmed," Smith told committee members.

A Utah native, Smith attended the University of Utah before receiving a law degree from Gonzaga University School of Law in Spokane. For 11 years she was the government relations director for The Nature Conservancy. Prior to being tapped for her appointment as head of the state agency, she worked in Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr.'s office on land use issues, often bridging diverse interests, said Gayle McKeachnie, Huntsman's rural affairs advisor.

"She was not a crusader for a cause but a trusted and competent advisor."

Committee members did try to elicit policy positions from Smith, who as head of the state environmental agency holds sway over several looming questions, such as importation of foreign nuclear waste, the state's stance on storage of depleted uranium, if conservation trumps energy development and even if the state should retain its membership in the Western Climate Initiative.

While her advocates made clear that Smith is not afraid to make tough decisions, she emphasized her job is to carry out policy at the direction of her boss — the governor — not craft positions on controversial issues.

She said it will be up to the new governor, Gary Herbert, to decide on Utah's membership in the Western Climate Initiative, an affiliation forged by Huntsman that drew criticism from many conservative circles.

"Obviously (whether to stay in WCI) is a big policy issue that Herbert will decide," Smith said, adding that it is her job to help educate Herbert on if it makes sense to remain in the coalition or if there are other options that can be pursued.

She also added she believes development of the state's natural resources can be coupled with conservation ideals, "but not without a great deal of compromise on both sides. There has to middle ground where all sides can have a little bit of win and a little bit of not."

Jason Perry, Herbert's chief of staff, told the committee that Smith has the full support of his boss.

"You will not be disappointed in how she brings people together."

e-mail: amyjoi@desnews.com