Joseph A. Cannon

Biography
[EPA press release - November 21, 1983]

The U.S. Senate today confirmed the appointment of Joseph A. Cannon as Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Cannon had previously served for two years as EPA's Associate Administrator for Policy and Resource Management, where he played a central role in the development of the agency's rules tightening the standards for lead in gasoline. In addition, he expanded EPA's emissions trading policy, and created an integrated environmental management project seeking to understand the effects of pollutants that move from one milieu to another, such as from air to water.

"I feel Joe Cannon is the right person at the right time for this job," said EPA Administrator William D. Ruckelshaus. "He is a talented administrator with all the skills necessary for this critical and highly visible position. He has the respect of his peers, his staff, and the Congress, and that will serve him well as he administers our national air policy."

In his new position, Cannon will be responsible for setting and enforcing standards for national ambient air quality, new source performance standards, hazardous air pollutants and those for prevention of significant deterioration of air quality, for establishing and enforcing emission standards for mobile sources (vehicle and aircraft), and establishing radiation standards.

Cannon has been the Acting Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation since July of this year. He served as EPA policy chief from September 1981 to July 1983. Prior to that, he served as a special assistant and legal advisor for regulatory reform to the Administrator from May to September 1981. Prior to joining EPA, Cannon practiced law in Washington, D.C.

He received his undergraduate and law degrees from Brigham Young University, where he was an editor of the school's law review.

Cannon is married to Janeal Cannon and has four sons. They reside in Vienna, Va.

Joseph A. Cannon

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