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DEP COMMISSIONER SHINN
RECEIVES NJ BUSINESS AWARD FOR SERVICE
Bob Shinn, who has served eight years as
Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) commissioner
and is the longest-serving DEP commissioner, today received
the New Jersey Business and Industry Association's (NJBIA)
Paul L. Troast "statesman" Award for Distinguished
Public Service.
The Troast Award is presented annually
by the NJBIA to an individual who has made an outstanding
contribution to the State of New Jersey and its business
community. The award was presented by NJBIA President Joseph
Gonzalez, Jr. at the association's annual Public Policy
Forum. About 200 people attended the forum, held this year
at the Sheraton Hotel in Woodbridge.
"I'm honored to receive this recognition
and thank the NJBIA for working with us to implement cost-effective
programs that help industries go beyond regulatory requirements
for cleaner air and water in New Jersey," Shinn said.
Gonzalez said that the NJBIA selected Shinn
for this year's award to honor his "innovative streamlining
and clarifying of New Jersey's environmental regulations,
his establishment of the Silver Track Program, and his air,
land and water quality initiatives."
Shinn's accomplishments at DEP include:
creation and implementation of a Geographic Information
System (GIS)-based electronic permitting system called New
Jersey Environmental Management System (NJEMS); creation
of the New Jersey Greenhouse Gas Sustainability Action Plan;
development of a National Environmental Performance Partnership
System (NEPPS) Agreement with EPA; creation of the Office
of Alternative Dispute Resolution and the Office of Innovative
Technology and Market Development, development of New Jersey's
Silver and Gold track programs, and implementation of the
nation's first facility-wide permit program.
Shinn has assumed a national and regional
leadership role in several organizations working to solve
the nation's air pollution problem. He is vice chair and
a member of the Board of Directors of the Center for Clean
Air Policy, a Washington-based think tank on climate change
and air quality issues. He is past chair of the Ozone Transport
Commission and chairs the Environmental Research Institute
of States (ERIS), which works with all 50 states on technology,
certification and training. ERIS also works closely with
the Department of Defense, the Department of Energy and
the U.S. Army, Navy and Air Force on remediating contaminated
sites. He is a member of the Executive Committee of the
Ozone Transport Assessment Group and past chair of the Environmental
Council of States (ECOS), a national organization of environmental
commissioners.
A resident of Hainesport, Burlington County,
Shinn was sworn into office as the 11th commissioner of
DEP on Feb. 7, 1994. Shinn has held the post longer than
any commissioner in the 31-year history of the DEP. Prior
to serving as commissioner, Shinn served as a state assemblyman,
representing the Eighth District from 1985 to 1994. He devoted
much of his efforts to open space, Pinelands and farmland
preservation, and water supply and solid waste management
issues. Prior to his election to the Assembly, he served
as a Burlington County Freeholder from 1977 to 1985.
Paul L. Troast, for whom the award is named,
was chairman of the NJBIA from 1963-1972. As chairman of
the New Jersey Turnpike Authority, he directed the construction
of the turnpike ahead of schedule and on budget. He was
dubbed "Mr. New Jersey" by former Governor Richard
J. Hughes.
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