Senate GOP wary of Carney pick for environmental chief

(AP) – Senate Democrats have postponed a vote on Gov. John Carney's nominee to lead Delaware's state environmental department amid Republican opposition.

Carney has tapped Shawn Garvin, a former regional administrator for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, to head Delaware's Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control.

But Republican lawmakers, who are concerned about regulations stifling economic growth, oppose the nomination.

Senate Executive Committee members questioned Garvin on Wednesday, but his nomination was pulled from a slate of several cabinet picks later confirmed by the full Senate.

Garvin was appointed in 2009 by President Barack Obama to serve as administrator of the EPA's Region III, which covers Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia.

He previously worked as a state and congressional liaison for Region III office.