Russell E. Train Dead: Former EPA Administrator Dies At 92

Former EPA Head Dies At 92

Russell E. Train, a former administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, died on Monday at his farm in Bozman, Maryland, at the age of 92.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, four children and 12 grandchildren.

EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson stated in a press release Monday night that "Train’s life and work were dedicated to protecting American families and communities from pollution and environmental threats, and his leadership helped set the path for the ongoing work of the EPA."

Jackson highlighted the notable achievements during Train's time with the EPA, including the passage of the Toxic Substances Control Act and the Safe Drinking Water Act. She added, "He helped pave the way for gas mileage improvements and the adoption of the catalytic converter, and engaged the American people in ensuring the health of the places where we live and work."

Train was former President Richard Nixon’s first chairman of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, and according to The New York Times, helped push for the creation of the EPA. He "was widely considered the father of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, the cornerstone of all modern federal environmental legislation," the paper reports.

CEQ Chair Nancy Sutley praised Train's ability to work across party lines, remarking in a press statement, "He helped to cement a bipartisan tradition of American environmental stewardship and shaped the direction of the Environmental Protection Agency during its formative years."

Train was also a founding director of World Wildlife Fund. According to a statement by WWF President Carter Roberts, "Undoubtedly Russ would prefer that we not spend a lot of time mourning his passing.

"He would want us to redouble our efforts to save the animals and places we care about, to solve the problems of climate change and resource scarcity and to build leadership capacity in those countries where it’s needed most."

This article has been updated to include comments from the CEQ.

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