The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has named New York State Assemblyman Peter Lopez as a new Regional Administrator. Lopez has been given jurisdiction over Region 2, which consists of New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. As Regional Administrator, Lopez will oversee the operation and implementation of EPA programs in the region.
“Peter Lopez has spent nearly a decade in one of the country’s largest state legislatures working to improve the quality of life of his constituents,” said EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt in a statement issued on Sept. 28. “His familiarity with the region and his experience working to solve environmental problems in New York will be invaluable in helping EPA serve Americans in the Northeast and the Caribbean.”
Lopez has served the NYS Assembly since 2007, representing the seven counties in District 102. In his tenure as an assemblyman, Lopez has worked greatly to improve New York’s environment. He is a current member of the New York Assembly Committee on Environmental Conservation and the Task Force on Food, Farm and Nutrition Policy.
“Pete Lopez has been a strong supporter of New York’s forests and the forest products industry for several decades,” said John Bartow, Executive Director of the Empire State Forest Products Association. “He brings a broad understanding of the importance of sustainably managing natural resources while also meeting the needs of communities and local economies based on those resources. Pete will be a great asset to EPA and its responsibilities in New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands.”
With the recent barrage of storms and hurricanes in the Caribbean, Lopez will have to test his mettle in dealing with rebuilding efforts in both Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.