January 11, 2013
In light of the recent announcement that Lisa Jackson is stepping down as head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), we are taking a look back at the memorable meetings we’ve had with Jackson over her four year tenure.
Jackson has been a longtime friend of the Prize, hosting meetings with the Prize winners and supporting their work whenever possible. She met with both the 2010 and 2011 Goldman Prize recipients when they were in Washington, DC.
Jackson worked closely with 2011 Prize recipient Hilton Kelley to tighten up regulations on oil refineries along the gulf coast near Port Arthur, Texas. Jackson even participated in the groundbreaking ceremony of an affordable healthcare clinic that Kelley helped bring to fruition.
The clinic provides health services to low-income families affected by illnesses related to air pollution, such as asthma, an ailment that Jackson’s own son suffers from.
In a statement Jackson said, “I will leave the EPA confident the ship is sailing in the right direction, and ready in my own life for new challenges, time with my family and new opportunities to make a difference.”
President Obama commented on Jackson departure, “Under her leadership, the EPA has taken sensible and important steps to protect the air we breathe and the water we drink, including implementing the first national standard for harmful mercury pollution, taking important action to combat climate change under the Clean Air Act and playing a key role in establishing historic fuel economy standards that will save the average American family thousands of dollars at the pump, while also slashing carbon pollution.”
2011 Goldman Prize recipients with Lisa Jackson
2010 Goldman Prize recipients with Lisa Jackson
