On October 12, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael S. Regan announced President Biden will appoint Adam Ortiz to become EPA’s Regional Administrator for Region 3.

Ortiz will lead the implementation of the Biden-Harris environmental agenda in Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and with seven federally recognized Tribes.

“I am grateful to have Adam’s leadership on critical matters in Region 3, including restoring and improving the health of the Chesapeake Bay, addressing water quality across the region, and ensuring robust engagement with diverse communities on issues ranging from agriculture to environmental justice,” said EPA Administrator EPA Michael S. Regan. “I look forward to working with Adam to fulfill EPA’s mission.”

“I am excited and honored to assist President Biden and Administrator Regan to address the great environmental challenges before us,” said Adam Ortiz. “The mid-Atlantic region is rich in both environmental treasures and innovative solutions. I look forward to working closely with local and state governments, advocates, utilities, Tribes, and other community stakeholders to ensure our part of the country leads the way for environmental protection.”

Adam Ortiz is currently the Director of the Montgomery County Maryland Department of Environmental Protection, where he launched programs boosting recycling, curbside compost collection, building energy efficiency standards, and ecological targeting to watershed restoration projects with a focus on equity.

Previously, Ortiz was the Director of the Department of Environment for Prince George’s County, Maryland, where he led the county to the highest recycling rate in the state and led a $100 million public-private green infrastructure construction program focusing on small and minority business development.

He served in the administration of Governor Martin O'Malley and at the Department of Labor under former Secretary Tom Perez. Ortiz also served three terms as Mayor of Edmonston, Maryland.

Reaction

Alison Prost, Chesapeake Bay Foundation Vice President for Environmental Protection and Restoration, commended the selection of Adam Ortiz to be the new EPA Region III Administrator.

“Success of the federal/state Chesapeake Clean Water Blueprint hinges on states and local governments meeting their pollution-reduction goals.  

“Adam Ortiz well understands the challenges local jurisdictions are facing and has demonstrated success in putting local pollution-reduction plans into action. For those reasons, Mr. Ortiz is an excellent choice for EPA Region III Administrator. 

“This is a critical moment for EPA and the Chesapeake Bay. While most jurisdictions have plans to achieve their pollution-reduction goals, Pennsylvania does not.

“ Mr. Ortiz must use his experience and creativity to turn plans into action by marshalling the federal resources needed while also using EPA’s authorities to hold them accountable. He must also help to restore the transparency necessary to determine where jurisdictions are succeeding, as well as where they are falling short.

“The success of the saving the Bay, what could be one of the world’s greatest environmental success stories, hangs in the balance. We look forward to working with Mr. Ortiz to finish the job.”

Visit EPA’s Region 3 webpage for more information.

[Posted: October 13, 2021]

10/18/2021