In a weekend interview with the New York Times, McCarthy – who was confirmed by Senate July 18 in a 59-40 vote – denied claims from both sides of the aisle that the federal agency had a target on coal’s back.

“We don’t have a war on coal,” she told the paper.

“We are doing out business, which is to reduce pollution.

“We’re following the law.”

With Jackson at the helm of the EPA, the agency released rules involving strict requirements on coal-fired power plants.

In late June Obama released his Climate Action Plan, which also called for more work by the EPA on carbon emissions standards. That work is already underway per his order for immediate action.

McCarthy told the Times that Obama told her his presidential legacy would not be complete without a significant environmental push to address climate change issues.

“I’m so glad he said that, because if he hadn’t, I wouldn’t have wanted this job,” she said.

“It’s an issue I’ve worked on for so many years, and it just can’t wait.”

Several outlets, the Times included, noted that Obama’s decision to nominate the 59-year-old McCarthy earlier this year was a move of defiance against those opposed to his climate change actions.

Her confirmation process was far from easy. Senate Republicans held up the confirmation vote for 136 days as she answered more than 1000 questions about her position on that topic and others.

McCarthy is hitting the ground running, as the first of Obama’s carbon emissions proposals to include new fossil fuel plants is due September 20.

Draft standards for existing facilities are due to him by next June.

“We worked with him on the schedule,” McCarthy said.

“He impressed on us how important it was to get started now.

“He said to get it done, and get it done right.”