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April 29, 2005 3:00 PM, EDT

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he Senate in a voice vote Friday confirmed Stephen Johnson to head the Environmental Protection Agency.

Among other things, EPA sets regulations related to emissions from diesel engines, which are scheduled to tighten in 2007 and 2010.

Johnson, a career government employee who has been with the EPA for 24 years, became its acting administrator in January after former agency director Mike Leavitt left to become head of the Department of Health and Human Services.

Johnson, who becomes the agency’s 11th director, has been praised by both parties as being a career scientist. He most recently served as assistant administrator in EPA’s pesticides office.