Ken Kopocis’ nomination to head EPA’s Office of Water, which has been held up since 2011, is one step closer to finalization after the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee voted on July 30 to send his nomination to the full Senate for consideration. The EPW Committee vote followed a July 23hearing during which there was high praise of his qualifications for the post from both sides of the aisle. There were, however, significant discussions of some contentious policy issues, including pending actions on Clean Water Act jurisdictional guidance and the Bristol Bay, Alaska mining assessment, which could still serve as obstacles to confirmation by the full Senate. Supporters of Kopocis’ nomination are hopeful that recent Senate compromises that resulted in confirmation of Gina McCarthy to head EPA, as well as approval of other high-profile nominees, will extend to this confirmation process. No date has been set for a full Senate vote on the Kopocis nomination, but further consideration is possible shortly after the Senate returns from its summer recess in early September.