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Hupp, Millan[hupp.millan@epa.gov] EPA Press Office Thur 11/16/2017 3:00:08 PM EPA Announces Appointment of Alexandra Dunn to Region 1 Administrator
EPA Announces Appointment of Alexandra Dunn to Region 1 Administrator
WASHINGTON (November 16, 2017) - Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt announced the appointment of Alexandra Dapolito Dunn to become Regional Administrator for Region 1. With over two decades of experience in environmental law, legislation, policy, and regulatory affairs, Ms. Dunn will oversee federal environmental protection efforts in: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
Alexandra Dunn currently serves as executive director and general counsel for the Environmental Council of States (ECOS), a national nonprofit, nonpartisan organization committed to helping state agencies improve environment outcomes for Americans. Since 2014, Ms. Dunn has helped state governments improve water infrastructure, air pollution control, site cleanup, chemical management, and economic development. Prior to joining ECOS, Ms. Dunn served as executive director and general counsel for the Association of Clean Water Administrators.
Ms. Dunn has also been published in the areas of the ethics of community advocacy, environmental justice, urban sustainability, water quality, cooperative federalism, and the Clean Water Act. And, she taught environmental justice and human rights and the environment as dean of Environmental Law Programs at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University. She also taught at the Columbus School of Law, Catholic University of America, where she currently serves as faculty adviser to the student Environmental Law Society. Ms. Dunn most recently taught environmental justice as an Adjunct Associate Professor of Law at the American University's Washington College of Law.
This October, Ms. Dunn was elected to the Board of Regents of the American College of Environmental Lawyers and she serves on the executive committee and board of directors of the Environmental Law Institute. She has chaired the American Bar Association's (ABA) section of Environment, Energy, and Resources, its World Justice Task Force, and served on the ABA Presidential Force on Sustainable Development.
"Alexandra Dunn is exceptionally qualified to carry out administrative duties to lead our New England office," said EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt. "Not only has she spent the last several years developing effective environmental policies for our state partners, but has also helped shape a number of aspiring environmental lawyers at one of the nation's leading environmental law programs. Her service to others will be key to helping implement this administration's positive environmental agenda for our northeast region."
Her nomination is receiving high accolades from across the region:
Janet Coit, Director, Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management: "As the head of a state environmental agency, I hoped for the appointment of an EPA regional administrator with expertise in environmental laws and issues and sensitivity to the importance of the special relationship between the states and the USEPA. Alex Dunn has mastery and understanding of both and tremendous relevant experience to bring to bear to her role as Regional Administrator. She is
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an excellent choice and will bring a constructive and informed approach to New England, a place where there is strong federal-state partnership and a collaborative approach to our important environmental protection work with USEPA." .........................................................................................
John Cruden, president, American College of Environmental Lawyers: "Alexandra Dunn is a superb administrator with exceptional environmental expertise. She can be counted on to push to advance the environment, work collaboratively with the States in her Region, and support career officials doing their important work."
Andrew Fisk, executive director, Connecticut River Conservancy: "Alexandra is a committed environmental attorney with a solid record of experience that will serve her well. She understands the important role of citizen organizations in improving the quality of our environment. We look forward to working with her to build on New England's proud tradition of environmental protection."
Scott Fulton, president, Environmental Law Institute: "I strongly support Alexandra Dunn's appointment as Regional Administrator for EPA Region 1. She is a terrific talent and an extremely capable leader, with demonstrated ability to work effectively with a diverse array of stakeholders and interests. Her appointment makes for a great day for EPA and the good people of New England."
Robert J. Klee, Commissioner, Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection: "I want to congratulate Alexandra on her nomination to become the next EPA Region 1 Administrator. She is a consensus builder who is well respected by many in the environmental community thanks to her extensive background and knowledge of environmental law and policy. I look forward to working with her in this new role on the issues that matter most to Connecticut residents, such as water quality in our lakes, rivers, and Long Island Sound, ozone and transport of pollutants from upwind to downwind regions, and climate change mitigation and adaptation. It is imperative that the federal government and states work together to address our most pressing environmental issues - and I have full confidence that Alex will continue to build upon decades of positive interactions between EPA Region 1 and our New England States."
Amanda C. Leiter, professor, American University Washington College of Law: "I am thrilled to learn of Ms. Dunn's appointment. For the past few years, she has taught environmental justice as an adjunct professor in American University Washington College of Law's summer program. Students gave the course very positive reviews and regularly commented on Professor Dunn's depth of knowledge about the subject area and her willingness to make herself available outside of class hours. My colleagues and I will be sorry to lose her from AU, but we are very pleased she will be bringing her extensive background in and deep commitment to environmental justice to EPA Region 1."
Paul Mercer, Commissioner, Maine Department of Environmental Protection: "Alexandra Dapolito Dunn has a demonstrated ability to work as a partner and facilitator for the States. She also has the breadth and depth of knowledge of the environmental issues faced by the Region 1 States. We look forward to working with Alexandra to continue progress making our water and air cleaner through practical and cost-effective strategies."
Julie Moore, Secretary, Vermont Agency of Natural Resources: "The partnership between EPA and state environmental agencies is incredibly important. Through her work at ECOS, Alexandra has been committed to building and strengthening this relationship and I look forward to her continued support in this new capacity."
Robert R. Scott, Commissioner, New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services: "Alexandra is a great choice for Regional Administrator. She has vast experience in working on environmental issues and well understands the needs and perspective of the states. She helped
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champion the recasting of the EPA-State relationship through Cooperative Federalism at the Environmental Council of the States and now will be in a position to advance those principles even further."
Susan Sullivan, executive director, New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission: "Ms. Dunn is a consummate professional and her years of working on behalf of the states at the Environmental Council of the States and the Association of Clean Water Administrators will serve her well in her new role. NEIWPCC, our member states, and EPA have had a long history of working well together. I look forward to continuing this strong relationship with Ms. Dunn and her Region 1 staff."
Martin Suuberg, Commissioner, Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection: "Alex Dunn has significant experience in environmental law and has been a strong environmental advocate for states during her years of service with ECOS. The Commonwealth looks forward to continuing our work with her in this new role as Region 1 Administrator."
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To:
Hupp, Millan[hupp.millan@epa.gov]
From: EPA Press Office
Sent: Mon 11/20/2017 8:05:37 PM
Subject: Terminix Companies Sentenced for Applying Restricted-Use Pesticide to Residencies in the
U.S. Virgin Islands
Terminix Companies Sentenced for Applying Restricted-Use Pesticide to Residences in the U.S. Virignin Islands
WASHINGTON (November 20, 2017) - Terminix International Company LP (TERMINIX LP) and U.S. Virgin Islands operation Terminix International USVI LLC (TERMINIX, USVI) were sentenced today for violations of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act in the U.S. Virgin Islands, announced the Department of Justice and the Environmental Protection Agency.
The Virgin Islands pest control company illegally applied fumigants containing methyl bromide in...... multiple residential locations in the U.S. Virgin Islands, including the condominium resort complex in St. John where a family of four fell seriously ill in March 2015 after the unit below them was fumigated. According to the plea recommendation, TERMINIX LP and TERMINIX, USVI are to pay a total of $10 million in criminal fines, community service, and restitution payments. Under the agreed recommendation, TERMINIX, USVI will pay $4 million in fines and $1 million in restitution to the EPA for response and clean-up costs at the St. John resort. TERMINIX LP will pay a fine of $4 million and will perform community service related to training commercial pesticide applicators in fumigation practices and a separate health services training program.
"The sentences in this case reflect the serious nature of the defendants' illegal actions and the unacceptable consequences of those actions," said EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt. "This case should serve as a stark reminder that pesticides must be applied as intended and that those who ignore laws that protect public health will be held accountable by EPA and our law enforcement partners."
"The tragic incident at issue in this case shows the extreme danger posed by the improper use of toxic pesticides," said Acting Assistant Attorney General Jeffrey H. Wood of the Justice Department's Environment and Natural Resources Division. "Businesses using these products must take appropriate cautions to safeguard the public, or else the consequences can be devastating. We trust that the result in this case shows how imperative it is that users of these products take the time to review, understand, and employ appropriate techniques and uses."
"This case demonstrates how critical it is to comply with environmental laws and regulations," said Acting United States Attorney Joycelyn Hewlett for the District of the Virgin Islands. "An entire family suffered horrendous and life-altering injuries. We will continue to aggressively enforce environmental laws to help prevent something like this from ever happening again."
In 1984, the EPA banned the indoor use of methyl bromide products. The few remaining uses are severely restricted and largely limited to commodity applications for quarantine and pre-shipment purposes. Pesticides containing methyl bromide in the U.S. are restricted-use due to their acute toxicity, meaning that they may only be applied by a certified applicator. Health effects of acute exposure to methyl bromide are serious and include central nervous system and respiratory system damage. Pesticides can be very toxic and it is critically important that they be used only as approved by EPA.
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According to the information filed in federal court in the U.S. District Court of the Virgin Islands, the defendants knowingly applied restricted-use fumigants at the Sirenusa resort in St. John for the........ purpose of exterminating household pests on or about October 20, 2014, and on or about March 18, 2015. The companies were also charged with applying the restricted-use pesticide in 12 residential units in St. Croix and one additional unit in St. Thomas between September 2012 and February 2015.
According to the factual basis of the plea agreement, TERMINIX, USVI provided pest control services in the Virgin Islands including fumigation treatments for Powder Post Beetles, a common problem in the islands. These fumigation treatments were referred to as "tape and seal" jobs, meaning that the affected area was to be sealed off from the rest of the structure with plastic sheeting and tape prior to the introduction of the fumigant. Customers were generally told that after a treatment, persons could not enter the building for a two- to three-day period.
On or about March 18, 2015, two employees of TERMINIX, USVI, performed a fumigation pesticide treatment at the lower rental unit of Building J at Sirenusa in St. John. The upper unit in Building J was occupied by a Delaware family of four. Via various means, methyl bromide from the lower unit migrated to the upper unit of Building J, causing serious injury to and hospitalization of the entire family.
EPA regional staff responded immediately to the incident in St. John, securing the scene, performing testing, and addressing the contamination. Within days, the EPA sent out a pesticide use warning to pesticides applicators in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, followed by a broader pesticide notice to regulators in all states, the British Virgin Islands, and to other Caribbean and Latin American countries.
After the government began its investigation, TERMINIX LP voluntarily ceased its use of methyl bromide in the U.S. and in U.S. territories. The government has notified the district court that the defendants have made full restitution to the Esmond family. The family is satisfied with the criminal resolution and has asked that their privacy be respected.
The case was investigated by EPA Criminal Investigation Division working cooperatively with the Virgins Islands government and, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.
Senior Litigation Counsel Howard P. Stewart of the Department of Justice, Environmental Crimes...... Section, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kim L. Chisholm of the District of the Virgin Islands are prosecuting the case with assistance of Patricia Hick, EPA Region II Regional Criminal Enforcement Counsel.
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Sierra Club v. EPA, 1:17-cv-01906
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