PROVIDENCE, R.I.—The former executive director of a Rhode Island environmental group has been chosen to lead the regional office of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
President Barack Obama selected Curt Spalding, former leader of Save the Bay, to be New England's top environmental official. Spalding will oversee federal environmental programs in the six New England states.
Rhode Island's congressional delegation on Thursday praised the appointment, calling Spalding a community leader and strong environmental advocate for more than two decades.
Spalding was executive director at Save the Bay, Rhode Island's largest environmental organization, for 18 years before stepping down in 2008.
The EPA has 10 regional offices.
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