The Big Story 

The acting administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) was fired Thursday, one day after telling lawmakers he did not think it was in the public’s interest to eliminate the agency.

© Greg Nash

A FEMA spokesperson confirmed Cameron Hamilton was no longer serving as acting administrator. That role is now being filled by David Richardson, who was appointed in January as assistant secretary for the Department of Homeland Security’s Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office.

Politico first reported on Hamilton’s firing.

Hamilton testified Wednesday on Capitol Hill, where he was asked about the push from the Trump administration to get rid of FEMA and largely turn over disaster response to the states.

“I do not believe it is in the best interests of the American people to eliminate the Federal Emergency Management Agency,” Hamilton told lawmakers.

He added that he was not in a position to make such a decision and that it should be between the White House and Congress to determine what was the most logical use of federal funding for emergency response.

Hamilton’s ouster also comes just weeks before the start of the Atlantic hurricane season.

Read more from The Hill’s Brett Samuels.

Welcome to The Hill’s Energy & Environment newsletter, I’m Rachel Frazin  — keeping you up to speed on the policies impacting everything from oil and gas to new supply chains.

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What We’re Reading 

News we’ve flagged from other outlets touching on energy issues, the environment and other topics:

• New FEMA head says he will ‘run right over’ staff who resist his changes (Reuters)

On Our Radar 

Upcoming news themes and events we’re watching:

 Next week

• The Senate may take up President Trump’s picks for the No.2 roles at the Energy and Interior departments

Wednesday

• EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin is slated to testify before the Senate Appropriations Committee

   

• The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will hold a confirmation hearing for Energy and Interior nominees

• The Environment and Public Works Committee will hold a hearing on nominees for the EPA, FHA and Army

   

• The House Science, Space and Technology Committee will hold a hearing titled “Forecasting Disaster: NOAA’s Transparency, Trust, and Scientific Integrity in Crisis”

Thursday

• EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin is slated to testify before the House Appropriations Committee

• The House Natural Resources Committee will hold a hearing titled “Fix Our Forests: How Improved Land Management Can Protect Communities in the Wildland-Urban Interface

• The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee will hold a hearing on pipeline safety

What Others are Reading 

Two key stories on The Hill right now:

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