Top EPA Auto and Climate Change Execs to Swap Jobs

The heads of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Transportation and Air Quality (Crhis Grundler) and Office of Atmospheric Programs (Sarah Dunham) are switching jobs.

The moves, which were first reported by Reuters, are effective Aug. 4.

Grundler was appointed to his most recent post in October 2012. Dunham has directed atmospheric programs since 2011.

Grundler and is staff of about 400 people are responsible for setting standards for tailpipe emissions, fuel economy and alternative fuels. During his tenure, he led the initial rollout of stringent regulations passed by the Obama administration.

President Donald Trump has pushed back on the regulations, aiming to freeze emissions and fuel economy targets in 2022 and scrap harsher standards due to phase in through 2025. California vows to implement the original regulations.

The Office of Atmospheric Programs oversees the EPA’s climate change programs and other functions. Dunham is credited with overseeing cap-and-trade policies for carbon dioxide emissions. She also helped implement changes to the Montreal Protocol, a global initiative aimed at protecting the Earth’s ozone layer.

Dunham also has been serving as the acting assistant administrator for the EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation. Prior to joining the federal agency, Dunham worked for the Illinois EPA. She has a bachelor’s degree in biology from Yale University and a master’s in public policy from Harvard University.