Four New Englanders appointed to EPA's national Local Government Advisory Committee
EPA selects majority female advisory committee, first time in EPA history
BOSTON (Jan. 24, 2024) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently announced the appointment of 16 new members to the Local Government Advisory Committee (LGAC), as well as the reappointments of 13 existing members. With the new appointments, there will now be four members on the national committee representing the New England region. For the first time in the Agency's history an advisory committee's membership will be majority female, including all members of the committee's leadership.
"The Biden-Harris Administration has made a commitment to advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility across the federal government," said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. "Today's announcement is the latest example of this commitment in action. In addition to a majority of female members, this important committee is comprised of individuals from across the country, representing the diversity of America, so we can reflect a range of input as we craft regulations impacting their communities."
"We are so excited to welcome three New England Local Government Advisory Committee members, and one returning Small Community Advisory Subcommittee member," said EPA New England Regional Administrator David W. Cash. "When it comes to local capacity-building and project success, Local Government Advisory Committee and Small Community Advisory subcommittee members play a crucial role in providing advice and recommendations on EPA policies and programs. EPA always works to protect communities from pollution, and this advisory group helps us ensure that our work protects people's health everywhere, including in historically disadvantaged communities."
The LGAC is comprised of elected and appointed officials at local, state, tribal and territorial governments within the U.S., who provide independent policy advice to the EPA Administrator on a broad range of issues affecting local governments. The 37-member LGAC will have 24 females and 13 males, including 13 people of color, and representation from 27 different states. The Administrator also appointed six new and 15 returning members to the LGAC's Small Communities Advisory Subcommittee (SCAS). Read about the members and the communities they represent on EPA's Local Government Advisory Committee Members website.
Members were chosen from a pool of more than 60 highly qualified candidates. Selections for the one- and two-year terms were made based on the applicant pool and in accordance with the LGAC charter (pdf) to achieve balance and diversity in terms of geographic location, gender, ethnicity, and stakeholder perspective. Read about the members and the communities they represent here.
The new, reappointed (denoted with *) and continuing (denoted with ^) Local Government Advisory Committee members in New England and their affiliations are:
- The Honorable Jim Donchess, Mayor, Nashua, N.H.
- The Honorable Dawn Euer, Senator, State of Rhode Island
- The Honorable Ruthzee Louijeune, City Council President, Boston, Mass.
The reappointed Small Community Advisory Subcommittee member in New England and their affiliations are:
- Mr. Kevin Dumas, Town Manager, Mansfield, Mass.*
Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird of Lincoln, Nebraska will continue as the LGAC's chair, with Mayor Lucy Vinis of Eugene, Oregon as vice chair. Administrator Regan also appointed Mayor Katie Rosenberg of Wausau, Wisconsin to join Ann Mallek, Supervisor of Albemarle County, Virginia, as co-chairs of the SCAS.
In 2024 the Committee will provide input on the proposed Lead and Copper Rule Improvements, the draft Strategy for Reducing Plastic Pollution, developing a cumulative impact framework, and improving community-level communication and engagement on climate change issues.
Background
Chartered in 1993 under the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the Local Government Advisory Committee is comprised of elected and appointed officials at local, state, tribal and territorial governments within the U.S., who provide independent policy advice to the EPA Administrator on a broad range of issues affecting local governments. The Small Community Advisory Subcommittee was established by EPA in 1996 to advise the Administrator on environmental issues of concern to the residents of smaller communities. New members are recruited every fall.
More information
Local Government Advisory Committee (LGAC)
Small Community Advisory Subcommittee (SCAS)