Kempthorne passed over for EPA post

BOISE – President Bush named the next Environmental Protection Agency director Friday – and Idaho Gov. Dirk Kempthorne wasn’t the pick.

Kempthorne had been rumored as a possible candidate, but the president instead chose Stephen Johnson, the acting administrator of the agency.

“If the president had called, I would have answered,” Kempthorne said. “But my job is very fulfilling.”

Johnson, who has worked for the EPA for 24 years, became the acting head of the agency on Jan. 26. He replaced former Utah Gov. Michael Leavitt, who is now secretary of Health and Human Services.

Kempthorne said Johnson is “qualified for the job. The agency will be well served.”