Joyce E. Epps Retiring As Director Of DEP’s Bureau Of Air Quality

Joyce E. Epps, Director of DEP’s Bureau of Air Quality, will be retiring at the end of June after 27 years of service to the Commonwealth.

Epps first came to DEP in 1989 as an Assistant Counsel in the Bureau of Regulatory where she served as counsel for the Radiation Protection Program.  In that position, she helped advise the agency in matters related to the Appalachian States Low-Level Radioactive Waste Compact Commission and the creation of a $33 million fund to cover Pennsylvania’s costs for siting a regional low-level radioactive waste disposal facility.

In 1993 she became counsel to the Air Quality Program, advising the program on a wide variety of issues related to New Source Review, Prevention of Significant Deterioration, Maximum Achievable Control Technology, Title V Operating Permits and Emission Reduction Credits.

Epps was appointed Director of the Bureau of Air Quality in 2002 and became responsible for overall implementation of Pennsylvania’s air quality protection programs as well as new initiatives related to Pennsylvania’s Climate Change Action Plan, EPA’s Clean Power Climate Plan, emissions reporting from the oil and gas industry and the new framework to reduce methane emissions from the oil and gas industry.

In her tenure as Director, she has guided the development of the next generation of air pollution control requirements related to reducing PM2.5 particulate pollution, ground level ozone pollution, revisions to the standards for lead and the tightening of nitrogen oxide, mercury and sulfur standards on coal-fired power plants and other hazardous air pollutants.

She has also represented Pennsylvania on the interstate Ozone Transport Commission, Mid-Atlantic Northeast Visibility Union, National Association of Clean Air Agencies and the Mid-Atlantic Regional Air Management Association.

Prior to her service with the Commonwealth, Epps held an Associate Scientist position with Warner Lambert Research Institute and a Senior Research Associate position with McNeil Pharmaceutical.

Epps holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology from Bethune-Cookman College, a Masters Of Science Degree in Biology from Seton Hall University and a J.D. Degree from Temple University.

“I want to thank Joyce for her more than two decades of service to the citizens of the Commonwealth,” said former DEP Secretary David Hess.  “The Air Quality Program at DEP is one of the most complex environmental programs DEP has.  Her depth of understanding and her clear way of describing policy options and consequences were something I personally very much appreciated as Secretary of DEP.

“I wish her well in the next phase of her life,” said Hess.