Clean Air Champions Move On (Hopefully Not Away)

As many may know, two clean air champions in Colorado and the Rocky Mountain region are moving on. Dick Long, head of the air program for Region 8 of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and Margie Perkins, the Director of the Colorado Air Pollution Control Division, are both moving on to retirement.

The Rocky Mountain News reports on Dick's retirement today, noting "Long has stood out, willing to say what he thinks needs to be said, whatever the political inconvenience." We couldn't agree more. While working within the confines of the EPA for the last 11 years--at times an extremely onerous bureaucracy--Dick has pushed for what's best for clean air in the Rockies, even in the face of political resistance and overwhelming bureaucratic inertia. In many cases, he got what he wanted. Or more accurately, he got what was needed for clean air and our health.

Dick Long was often a bitter pill to swallow for western states leery of federal oversight and intervention. Hardly the jackbooted agent, Dick simply made sure states protected their citizens, as the Clean Air Act requires and as we deserve. Although he was willing to give considerable leeway for state governments to craft creative solutions to air pollution problems, he knew where to draw the line. For those of us living in the west, where many elected officials often hide behind "states' rights" rhetoric to oppose environmental regulation, even at the expense of clean air, his oversight truly helped us all breathe easier.

The Rocky Mountain News, unfortunately, did not report on the retirement of Margie Perkins, nor has the Denver Post for that matter. That's too bad, because Margie's impact on clean air and on our communities in Colorado has been tremendous as well.

Margie has been at the helm of the Colorado Air Pollution Control Division since 1996, serving the longest of any former Director. Always straightforward and set on her goals, Margie has made a huge difference for clean air, often within the confines of a state government hostile to environmental regulation.

While pragmatic, Margie was not afraid to lay down the law with her superiors, including many former Executive Directors of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and Air Quality Control Commissioners. Unlike many environmental regulators, Margie always seemed to have a plan for clean air that spanned beyond what most can see. While she picked her battles, she kept things on course. Her strategies were meticulous, yet in many ways basic, and meant that the big wins were never out of reach.

A steadfast advocate for the protection of healthy communities, Margie is the kind of Director that citizens in other western states can only dream of. Neither beholden to the Democrats nor the Republicans, she served only in the best of interest of Colorado citizens. And for 10 years, she's endured.

As advocates for clean air, we often view the world in a sort of tunnel vision, always focused on our goals and our mission. This focus is important, but we need to always take a look around to make sure we're headed down the right path to the end of the tunnel. Margie and Dick have both have helped us take that look around. They've helped us realize we need to watch our step as we make our way toward the end of the tunnel.

Rocky Mountain Clean Air Action heartily applauds Dick Long and Margie Perkins for their dedication and commitment to clean air and healthy communities, and their public service. Although at times, we haven't always agreed with Margie or Dick, they deserve our respect and admiration for the legacy of clean air they have left. Here's wishing you both the best as you move on, but hopefully not away!