bob perciasepe

Aug 7, 2014

Recognizing One of EPA’s Greatest

Administrator, bob perciasepe, deputy administrator 2 Comments

Today, everyone at EPA took a moment to honor one our greatest champions for the public health and the environment. Few people have had as lasting an impact on the vital work of EPA as our Deputy Administrator, Bob Perciasepe. After 13 combined years at the agency, it’s bittersweet that Bob will be leaving to assume an exciting new role as the President of the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions. The fact that so many of us at EPA call Bob a friend is testament to his dedication to this agency and its people—and, of course, his terrific humor and good heart.

He’s not only the sole person to have served as Assistant Administrator at EPA for both the Offices of Water and Air and Radiation, but he was also key to some of our major successes there, from protecting iconic waters like his beloved Chesapeake Bay to making huge reductions in sulfur levels in fuels. So it was no surprise that President Obama appointed Bob as Deputy Administrator in 2009. He’s worked tirelessly to improve the way EPA works so we can better meet the needs of the people we serve, especially people that need us most. He’s handled the hard times like a champion, like helping us navigate through two government-shutdowns. It’s clear we would not be as successful an agency today without him, and we’re all in his debt. Not just the EPA family, but all American families who enjoy cleaner air and water thanks to his work.

Deputy Adminstrator Bob Perciasepe receives a standing ovation as he speaks at a podium.

With his departure, EPA is losing a cherished colleague and leader who poured everything he had into the agency’s mission. And personally, I’m going to be losing a great friend working by my side. We’ll all miss his sage advice, his quick wit, and his jovial attitude.

But as Bob himself will tell you, we’ve got the best and brightest staff around. It’s the people of EPA—people like Bob Perciasepe—that have fueled decades of progress cutting pollution and protecting a safer, healthier nation. From chemical safety and air pollution, to clean water and climate change and everything in between—we’ve got our work cut out for us. But with the compassionate people at EPA, compelled by our mission and committed to public service, I know we’ll keep moving forward.

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Feb 4, 2014

Clearing the Air: EPA Secondhand Smoke Research Making a Difference

bob perciasepe, deputy administrator, Research, secondhand smoke 7 Comments

Today, no-smoking policies have become so widespread that we hardly think twice when we’re enjoying a meal at a restaurant in a smoke-free environment.

Millions of Americans benefit from these policies, which have significantly reduced exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke in public spaces. A few recent studies show us that further reducing exposure can save the U.S. $10 billion annually in healthcare costs and wages lost to sick leave.

Secondhand smoke, passive smoking, side stream smoke, or environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) all refer to the same thing: the smoke exhaled by a smoker or given off by the burning end of a cigarette, pipe, or cigar. Whatever you call it, thanks to EPA scientists we know that exposure to such smoke threatens our health—and is especially risky for those most vulnerable like older Americans and our kids.

Through their research, our scientists released a landmark health assessment in 1992, The Respiratory Health Effects of Passive Smoking: Lung Cancer and Other Disorders, that found that secondhand smoke leads to serious health complications, and even premature death. The assessment concluded that infants and young children were especially sensitive to secondhand smoke exposure, leading to more respiratory infections like bronchitis and pneumonia, harming lower lung function, and worsening symptoms of asthma.

Jan 22, 2014

Braving the Weather to Promote Green Infrastructure in Philadelphia

bob perciasepe, Climate Action Plan, climate change, deputy administrator, Green Infrastructure, mayor nutter, nancy sutley, Philadelphia, Research, star grants 1 Comment

CEQ Chair Nancy Sutley and EPA Deputy Administrator Bob Perciasepe in snow storm in Philadelphia following STAR grant announcement

Yesterday, I was up in Philadelphia joined by CEQ Chair Nancy Sutley and Mayor Nutter to announce nearly $5 million in EPA grants made possible through the Science to Achieve Results (STAR) program. These investments are going to five universities, and aim to fill gaps in research evaluating the costs and benefits of certain green infrastructure practices.

The projects to be invested in, led by Temple University, Villanova University, Swarthmore College, University of Pennsylvania and University of New Hampshire, will explore the financial and social costs and benefits associated with green infrastructure as a stormwater and wet weather pollution management tool.

Nov 21, 2013

Big Improvements in Little Rock

bob perciasepe, clean water act, deputy administrator, DOT, Greening America's Capitals, HUD, Krysta Harden, Policy, USDA 2 Comments

Little Rock philanthropist Anita Davis discusses her efforts to revitalize the downtown with senior officials and staff from EPA, HUD, DOT, and USDA. Photo courtesy of the city of Little Rock.

This Monday and Tuesday, I spent time with Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Deputy Secretary Maurice Jones, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden, and Department of Transportation (DOT) Acting Assistant Secretary for Transportation Policy Beth Osborne touring ongoing redevelopment efforts in Little Rock, Arkansas. Through the HUD-DOT-EPA Partnership for Sustainable Communities, each of our agencies has invested in Little Rock. Our tour gave us the chance to see how these investments are making a real difference.

In 2011, our Greening America’s Capitals program provided support to help the city envision improvements to the Main Street corridor downtown. With additional support from Clean Water Act funds, the city starting putting in place some of the green infrastructure improvement ideas born from that workshop.

Nov 20, 2013

The Value of Citizen Science

bob perciasepe, Citizen science, deputy administrator, epa, Research, Wilson Center 3 Comments

Some time ago, observers and scientists noticing declining bird populations began to worry. One of those concerned was ornithologist Frank Chapman—an officer at the Audubon Society—who proposed something he thought would help: a new holiday tradition he called a “Christmas Bird Census.” That was in the year 1900.

For more than a hundred years, moms, dads, sons, and daughters have braved the elements and traveled to nearby conservation land or refuges and eagerly watched backyard feeders to participate in the Christmas Bird Count—and to contribute to conservation. To this day, the data collected by these citizen scientists inform researchers of the health of bird populations.

Citizen science isn’t a fresh idea. It’s tried and proven, and we’ve been at it for generations. But times have changed. Cell phones are equipped with high-resolution cameras. Low-cost sensors and GPS are readily available. And the internet sits at our fingertips in an increasingly interconnected world. These technologies have widened the boundaries and increased the value of citizen science in the 21^st century.

Nov 15, 2013

Jack Johnson Joins EPA in Celebrating America Recycles Day at #WeRecycle

#werecycle, America Recycles Day, bob perciasepe, Climate Action Plan, climate change, deputy administrator, jack johnson 2 Comments

EPA Deputy Administrator Bob Perciasepe and musician Jack Johnson

Some of you may not know this, but before focusing on music, award-winning artist Jack Johnson was a professional surfer. He credits his Hawaiian upbringing and connecting with nature as motivations for why he teaches kids about sustainability, whether he’s on tour or just at home. And it’s why he’s joining me to commemorate America Recycles Day this year.

Through the work of the Kokua Hawaii Foundation, Jack serves his community through supporting waste reduction, recycling, and other sustainable practices at local schools. He believes teaching kids the source of the products they use and the food they eat strengthens their connection with nature, improves their overall health, and teaches them to use energy more efficiently.

Oct 17, 2013

Welcome Back!

Administrator, bob perciasepe, epa, EPA employees, Gina McCarthy, Joe Biden, President Obama, shutdown, Vice President 4 Comments

Earlier this morning, Bob and I were honored to join Vice President Biden in personally welcoming back to work our fellow, dedicated public servants. The Vice President brought muffins, shared hugs, and listened to the stories of so many folks who are excited to be back on the job serving our country.

Over the past few weeks during the government shutdown, I heard those stories too. I had the chance to call a handful of our great staff who were managing to keep their spirits up, but also anxious for this day to come. From almost every program and region, I heard from courageous single parents whose families depend on their paycheck and young people retaining their belief in public service. I also spoke to furloughed employees who volunteered in their communities, in food banks and shelters, still finding a way to give back. More

Aug 26, 2013

Greening Sports to Combat Climate Change

bob perciasepe, deputy administrator, Green Sports Alliance, sustainability, water 0 Comments

I’ve been a sports fan all my life. I have so many great memories of going to games with my family and playing sports with friends and teammates. Sports play a special role in our country – our local teams are part of our daily lives and part of the pride we take in our communities. Sports bring Americans together everyday.

Today, EPA released a new Green Sports Resource Directory to help sports venues and teams save energy, cut waste and prevent harmful pollution.

Aug 1, 2013

Innovating our Way to a Cleaner Future

bob perciasepe, Defiant Technologies, deputy administrator, E-waste, epa, Research, SBIR, volatile organic compounds 0 Comments

The history of environmental protection in the United States is a history of innovation. From catalytic converters to advanced batteries, technological innovations have helped us protect our health and environment by reducing pollution.

With that history in mind, today EPA announced more than $2 million in contracts to seven small businesses to develop sustainable technologies that can help protect our environment. EPA’s funding will support technologies ranging from an E-waste recycling process that will help recover valuable resources from industrial scrap to an environmentally friendly insulation that can support energy efficiency in green buildings.

One company receiving SBIR funding is developing an efficient and low-cost manufacturing method to recycle rare earth-based magnets from industrial scrap.

Jul 25, 2013

Meet my friend, Gina McCarthy

Administrator, bob perciasepe, deputy administrator, environment, epa, EPA employees, Gina McCarthy, public health 1 Comment

You’ve probably heard by now, but I wanted to again congratulate my friend and new boss Gina McCarthy on her confirmation as EPA Administrator. Gina is passionate about the EPA, about our staff, and of course about protecting the health of American families and the environment. Please take a minute to watch this video about EPA’s new administrator, Gina McCarthy:

“I think it’s a culmination of a career of 35 years where I felt that public service was the most honorable profession there is. I’m a child of the ‘60s, I had to give back to this world – and I cannot think of a more special place to be than as the head of EPA. It is the one agency that stands between environmental hazards and public health hazards and protects the American public each and every day.” – Gina McCarthy

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