All News Releases By Date

Vermont Official Honored with EPA Clean Air Excellence Award

Release Date: 04/02/2014
Contact Information: David Deegan, (617) 918-1017

BOSTON – Richard A. Valentinetti of the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources was honored today by EPA with a national “2014 Clean Air Excellence Award” for “Outstanding Individual Achievement.”

Dick Valentinetti, of Moretown, is the longest-serving state air director in the country. During his lengthy career he has demonstrated a lasting commitment to improving air quality in Vermont and within New England. His award was the only one today for an individual, and was announced along with recognition for nine projects from across the United States for work on clean air and climate initiatives that protect Americans' health and the environment, educate the public, serve their communities and stimulate the economy.

During the past four decades as the Director of the Vermont Dept. of Environmental Conservation’s Air Pollution Control Division, Mr. Valentinetti’s list of accomplishments is extensive. Two prominent examples are the key role he played in providing the technical basis for EPA’s acid rain program and in conducting long-term monitoring in Vermont that demonstrated the long-range transport of mercury emissions.

“On behalf of EPA, I am truly pleased to provide the recognition that Dick Valentinetti’s career so richly deserves,” said Curt Spalding, regional administrator of EPA’s New England office. “As a trusted and respected air director here in New England, he consistently invested resources in air quality monitoring and research, and he helped establish Vermont as a national leader in improving the scientific understanding of complex regional, national and international air quality issues. Thanks to his successful efforts to reduce emissions of criteria pollutants, air toxics and greenhouse gases over the past forty years, we can all breathe a little easier.”

Deb Markowitz, Secretary of the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources said, “Not only is Dick Valentinetti recognized and respected as a regional and national leader on air pollution issues, but he has made significant contributions to the State of Vermont, helping us reduce air pollution and achieve health and environmental improvements that benefit all Vermonters.”

Dick Valentinetti is a leader in developing the New England Governor’s/Eastern Canadian Premiers’ mercury and climate action plans and the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. His leadership resulted in adopting a number of air quality regulations in Vermont that served as models for other states, such as groundbreaking air toxics regulations and the first emission limits for outdoor wood-fired boilers. He played a key role coordinating the regional haze program for the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states, and was critical in the region adopting and implementing California’s low-emission vehicle standards, zeroemission vehicle standards and greenhouse gas emission standards.

He currently serves as a Special Assistant to the Secretary of the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources and remains a passionate advocate and a strong voice for environmental protection.

Since 2000, EPA’s Clean Air Excellence Awards have recognized and honored both individuals and organizations that have undertaken the risks of innovation, served as pioneers in their fields, advanced public understanding of air pollution and improved air quality.

More information on EPA's Clean Air Excellence Awards: https://www.epa.gov/air/cleanairawards/index.html

# # #