Gov. Gregoire�s statement on new EPA Region X director

For Immediate Release: January 14, 2010

OLYMPIA � Gov. Chris Gregoire today released the following statement following the announcement of Dennis McLerran to be regional administrator for the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency�s Region 10:

�I�m excited to hear of Dennis�s selection to head the EPA�s regional headquarters based in Seattle. Dennis has experience in important environmental issues that will serve the region and our nation well.

�Dennis is known as a strong leader. As the head of the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency, he brought that to bear while working with the Washington Department of Ecology to establish effective approaches to improving air quality in the Puget Sound region. He was instrumental in the adoption of Washington�s Clean Car standards, and is recognized nationally for his work on programs to reduce toxic diesel emissions from school buses and ports. He also has extensive knowledge of the challenges facing Puget Sound.

�As our state and region continue to plan for the impacts of climate change, I believe Dennis will be a strong partner with us. He knows local and state issues well and can bring that experience to improve state-federal relations. Dennis is well positioned to make the best use of EPA�s wide range of resources to help meet our state and region�s needs.�