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Gregg Cooke Appointed EPA Region 6 Administrator

Release Date: 5/4/1998
Contact Information: For more information contact the Office of External Affairs at (214) 665-2200.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Carol Browner announced President Clinton's appointment of Gregg A. Cooke as Regional Administrator for Region 6, headquartered in Dallas, Texas. The appointment is effective May 11, 1998.

"Gregg Cooke is a valuable addition to the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency," EPA Administrator Carol Browner said. "His experience in state government, environmental law and border-related issues will help this Administration better protect the environment and public health of the American people."

Cooke said, "I am proud to be selected by President Clinton to this important post. Based on my experience working on behalf of the environment for the State of Texas, I am looking forward to working with all the states in Region 6 to protect public health and the environment."

As Regional Administrator, Cooke will be responsible for federal environmental programs throughout Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas.

Cooke last served as a partner in the Natural Resources, Energy and Environmental Section of the Austin office of the Dallas-based law firm Haynes and Boone, LLP where he has practiced environmental law since 1995. His practice at Haynes and Boone focused on the redevelopment of contaminated sites, permitting issues and international environmental matters

For more than three years prior to 1995, Cooke served as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Texas for Attorney General Dan Morales. As Morales' Chief of both the Environmental Protection and the Natural Resources divisions, he was responsible for overseeing all judicial environmental enforcement for the State of Texas.

Cooke also was responsible for developing the legal policy analysis of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) for the Office of the Attorney General as the State's NAFTA Environmental Liaison.

In 1995, Cooke served as Interim General Counsel to the NAFTA-created Border Environmental Cooperation Commission in Juarez, Mexico. There he helped develop the initial rules and regulations which continue to serve as the foundation of this international institution and the North American Development Bank. These groups develop and fund infrastructure projects along the border.

Cooke grew up in Abilene, Texas, and graduated cum laude with a bachelor's degree in history from Baylor University in 1977. He also earned a master's of foreign affairs from the University of Virginia.

After receiving his law degree from Baylor University in 1982, Cooke served as a briefing attorney at the Court of Appeals, Fifth Supreme Judicial District in Dallas. From 1983 until 1984, he worked for Gov. Mark White as a legislative assistant. From 1984 until his appointment as Assistant Attorney General, Cooke practiced law in Dallas.

Cooke is active in the Texas Bar Association and is the author of numerous articles related to environmental law.