County exec nominee Jennifer Macedonia outlines priorities for DEP: community choice energy, RRF planning, water quality

Jennifer Macedonia, nominated by the County Executive as director of the Department of Environmental Protection, appeared virtually before the Council on Nov. 4 and described her background and immediate priorities if confirmed.

Macedonia, a mechanical engineer with three decades of experience including senior posts at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, said she led IRA program implementation and helped direct large grant programs. She emphasized a data‑driven, stakeholder‑engaged approach and told council members she planned close coordination with the Council on two near‑term, high‑priority items: operating the newly authorized community choice aggregation program and engaging the Council and community on the future of the county's resource recovery facility.

On community choice, Macedonia said the priority is to get the program operational and to use it to source affordable clean electricity as the county electrifies buildings and the vehicle fleet. On the resource recovery facility, she acknowledged the issue is multifaceted and said she would provide regular updates and consult with Council chiefs of staff and community stakeholders as DEP examines options.

She also listed medium‑term priorities — improving water quality (noting a state water permit process), assessing flood and storm risks and mitigation, and supporting implementation of the county's building energy performance standards over the longer term — and said environmental justice would be central to DEP work. "My experience at EPA included ensuring at least 40% of benefits flowed to low‑income and disadvantaged communities," she said, promising to carry that emphasis into county programs.

Councilmembers thanked Macedonia for her willingness to serve and asked about prior program implementation experience, how she would manage litter and anti‑litter action planning, and how she would work with nonprofit and private sector partners. Macedonia cited past program management at EPA (including acid‑rain and IRA programs) and said she would consult department staff, meet with the watershed and other division chiefs, and prioritize restoring paused local initiatives where staff capacity allows.

Macedonia said she was not aware of any conflicts of interest.

What happens next: The Council will continue its confirmation process and may follow up with additional questions. DEP leadership and staff will remain engaged in current agency work while the nomination proceeds.