Illinois EPA Director Doug Scott Selected to Chair Environmental Council of the States Air Committee

SPRINGFIELD  - The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency today announced IEPA Director Doug Scott ,was selected as incoming Chair of the Environmental Council of the States (ECOS) Air Committee.  He will take over for Robert W. Golledge Jr., former Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection who has chaired the committee for the last year.  The committee addresses air, climate, energy and related issues and chose the incoming chair at their annual meeting.

 

"I am extremely pleased and honored to have this vote of confidence from Bob King, Deputy Commissioner for the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control and ECOS President, and look forward to working with the other states to form a cohesive national policy," said Director Scott.  "Air pollution has no boundaries.  We must come together as states and adhere to our obligation to work together and do what is right for our environment and for the health of future generations."

 

The Environmental Council of the States is the national non-profit, non-partisan association of state and territorial environmental agency leaders whose purpose is to improve the capability of state environmental agencies and their leaders to protect and improve human health and the environment of the United States of America.

 

"Illinois EPA Director Doug Scott has been a leader on mercury pollution reduction and brings practical knowledge and important Midwest experience to his new role as Chair of ECOS's Air Committee," said Howard A. Learner, Executive Director of the Environmental Law & Policy Center.  "Doug's appointment should be good for forward-thinking clean air policy development at ECOS"

 

 

Since becoming Director, Scott has worked closely with Gov. Blagojevich to expand progressive environmental initiatives, including efforts to reduce mercury, sulphur dioxide, and nitrogen oxide throughout the state and the region.  He will also play a key role in a new global warming initiative announced by the governor last week that will build on Illinois' role as a national leader in protecting the environment and public health.  As part of the long-term strategy to combat global climate change, and build on steps the state has already taken to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, Director Scott will Illinois Climate Change Advisory Group, which will consider the full range of policies and strategies to reduce GHG emissions in Illinois and make recommendations to the governor.  The Advisory Group will have broad representation, including, business leaders, labor unions, the energy and agricultural industries, scientists, economists, and environmental groups from throughout the state. 

 

"I am confident that he will lead the ECOS Air Committee in a positive direction.  As Director of the Illinois EPA, Doug Scott has shown unprecedented leadership in the efforts to improve air quality in Illinois, and has done so through innovative approaches and building consensus among stakeholders," said Laurel Kroack, Bureau of Air Chief for the Illinois EPA.

 

Director Scott took over leadership of the Agency on its 35^th anniversary on July 1, 2005. Previously, as Mayor of Rockford, a State Representative and City Attorney, he had worked with Illinois EPA on a variety of environmental issues, including brownfields, responsible solid waste disposal and recycling, and upgrading infrastructure to meet environmental standards.

 

As a State Representative from the 67^th District from 1995-2001, Scott was a champion of working families and urban renewal and also served on the Energy and Environment Committee and was a member of a committee that rewrote the state's electric utility laws.

 

As Mayor of Rockford from 2001-2005, he secured funding for extension of water mains and other infrastructure improvements and purchase of vital riverfront property for future development and was a strong advocate of cultural and tourism programs and regionalism and intergovernmental cooperation.

 

As Assistant City Attorney and City Attorney for Rockford from 1985 to 1995, Scott worked with local residents, city staff and elected officials to go after slum landlords and started the city's curbside recycling, compost collection, used tire, used engine oil and household hazardous waste collection programs that are still in successful use today.

 

 

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