News Releases from Headquarters›Office of the Administrator (AO)
EPA Announces Appointment of Alexandra Dunn to Region 1 Administrator
WASHINGTON (November 16, 2017) - Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt announced the appointment of Alexandra Dapolito Dunn to become Regional Administrator for Region 1. With over two decades of experience in environmental law, legislation, policy, and regulatory affairs, Ms. Dunn will oversee federal environmental protection efforts in: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
Alexandra Dunn currently serves as executive director and general counsel for the Environmental Council of States (ECOS), a national nonprofit, nonpartisan organization committed to helping state agencies improve environment outcomes for Americans. Since 2014, Ms. Dunn has helped state governments improve water infrastructure, air pollution control, site cleanup, chemical management, and economic development. Prior to joining ECOS, Ms. Dunn served as executive director and general counsel for the Association of Clean Water Administrators.
Ms. Dunn has also been published in the areas of the ethics of community advocacy, environmental justice, urban sustainability, water quality, cooperative federalism, and the Clean Water Act. And, she taught environmental justice and human rights and the environment as dean of Environmental Law Programs at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University. She also taught at the Columbus School of Law, Catholic University of America, where she currently serves as faculty adviser to the student Environmental Law Society. Ms. Dunn most recently taught environmental justice as an Adjunct Associate Professor of Law at the American University’s Washington College of Law.
This October, Ms. Dunn was elected to the Board of Regents of the American College of Environmental Lawyers and she serves on the executive committee and board of directors of the Environmental Law Institute. She has chaired the American Bar Association’s (ABA) section of Environment, Energy, and Resources, its World Justice Task Force, and served on the ABA Presidential Force on Sustainable Development.
“Alexandra Dunn is exceptionally qualified to carry out administrative duties to lead our New England office,” said EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt. “Not only has she spent the last several years developing effective environmental policies for our state partners, but has also helped shape a number of aspiring environmental lawyers at one of the nation’s leading environmental law programs. Her service to others will be key to helping implement this administration’s positive environmental agenda for our northeast region.”
Her nomination is receiving high accolades from across the region:
Janet Coit, Director, Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management: “As the head of a state environmental agency, I hoped for the appointment of an EPA regional administrator with expertise in environmental laws and issues and sensitivity to the importance of the special relationship between the states and the USEPA. Alex Dunn has mastery and understanding of both and tremendous relevant experience to bring to bear to her role as Regional Administrator. She is an excellent choice and will bring a constructive and informed approach to New England, a place where there is strong federal-state partnership and a collaborative approach to our important environmental protection work with USEPA.”
John Cruden, president, American College of Environmental Lawyers: “Alexandra Dunn is a superb administrator with exceptional environmental expertise. She can be counted on to push to advance the environment, work collaboratively with the States in her Region, and support career officials doing their important work.”
Andrew Fisk, executive director, Connecticut River Conservancy: “Alexandra is a committed environmental attorney with a solid record of experience that will serve her well. She understands the important role of citizen organizations in improving the quality of our environment. We look forward to working with her to build on New England’s proud tradition of environmental protection.”
Scott Fulton, president, Environmental Law Institute: “I strongly support Alexandra Dunn’s appointment as Regional Administrator for EPA Region 1. She is a terrific talent and an extremely capable leader, with demonstrated ability to work effectively with a diverse array of stakeholders and interests. Her appointment makes for a great day for EPA and the good people of New England.”
Robert J. Klee, Commissioner, Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection: “I want to congratulate Alexandra on her nomination to become the next EPA Region 1 Administrator. She is a consensus builder who is well respected by many in the environmental community thanks to her extensive background and knowledge of environmental law and policy. I look forward to working with her in this new role on the issues that matter most to Connecticut residents, such as water quality in our lakes, rivers, and Long Island Sound, ozone and transport of pollutants from upwind to downwind regions, and climate change mitigation and adaptation. It is imperative that the federal government and states work together to address our most pressing environmental issues - and I have full confidence that Alex will continue to build upon decades of positive interactions between EPA Region 1 and our New England States.”
Amanda C. Leiter, professor, American University Washington College of Law: “I am thrilled to learn of Ms. Dunn’s appointment. For the past few years, she has taught environmental justice as an adjunct professor in American University Washington College of Law’s summer program. Students gave the course very positive reviews and regularly commented on Professor Dunn’s depth of knowledge about the subject area and her willingness to make herself available outside of class hours. My colleagues and I will be sorry to lose her from AU, but we are very pleased she will be bringing her extensive background in and deep commitment to environmental justice to EPA Region 1.”
Paul Mercer, Commissioner, Maine Department of Environmental Protection: “Alexandra Dapolito Dunn has a demonstrated ability to work as a partner and facilitator for the States. She also has the breadth and depth of knowledge of the environmental issues faced by the Region 1 States. We look forward to working with Alexandra to continue progress making our water and air cleaner through practical and cost-effective strategies.”
Julie Moore, Secretary, Vermont Agency of Natural Resources: “The partnership between EPA and state environmental agencies is incredibly important. Through her work at ECOS, Alexandra has been committed to building and strengthening this relationship and I look forward to her continued support in this new capacity.”
Robert R. Scott, Commissioner, New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services: “Alexandra is a great choice for Regional Administrator. She has vast experience in working on environmental issues and well understands the needs and perspective of the states. She helped champion the recasting of the EPA-State relationship through Cooperative Federalism at the Environmental Council of the States and now will be in a position to advance those principles even further.”
Susan Sullivan, executive director, New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission: “Ms. Dunn is a consummate professional and her years of working on behalf of the states at the Environmental Council of the States and the Association of Clean Water Administrators will serve her well in her new role. NEIWPCC, our member states, and EPA have had a long history of working well together. I look forward to continuing this strong relationship with Ms. Dunn and her Region 1 staff.”
Martin Suuberg, Commissioner, Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection: “Alex Dunn has significant experience in environmental law and has been a strong environmental advocate for states during her years of service with ECOS. The Commonwealth looks forward to continuing our work with her in this new role as Region 1 Administrator.”