Christopher Grundler

Christopher Grundler is the Director of the Office of Transportation and Air Quality (OTAQ) for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Prior to being appointed Director, he served as the Deputy Office Director and Chief Executive of the National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He and a staff of nearly 400 employees strive to protect public health and the environment by reducing air pollution from transportation vehicles, engines, and the fuels used to operate them.

Mr. Grundler and his team establish and implement national emissions standards for transpor­tation fuels and vehicles, as well as a variety of off road equipment. These mobile sources include cars and light trucks, heavy trucks and buses, nonroad engines, marine vessels, and airplanes. OTAQ is also responsible for implementing important aspects of the Energy Independence and Security Act, including establishing national renewable fuel standards. OTAQ is continuously evaluating a wide variety of advanced technology strategies which have the potential to reduce harmful emissions and fuel consumption.

Since joining EPA in 1980, Mr. Grundler has held a number of senior leadership positions within the Agency including Director of the Office of Federal Facilities Enforcement and Director of the Great Lakes National Program Office. Mr. Grundler has also served at the U.S. Department of Energy, where he helped create the Department’s first environmental audit program. Mr. Grundler has been awarded the Gold Medal for Exceptional Service, EPA’s highest honor. In 2008 he received the Presidential Award for Meritorious Senior Executives.

Mr. Grundler was part of the team that developed the nation’s first greenhouse gas emis­sion standards for both light- and heavy-duty vehicles. Prior to that, he helped bring a slate of clean diesel standards for cars, trucks, and construction equipment. In addition, he administered a five year modernization program for EPA’s National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory, the nation’s premier facility for testing and evaluating clean automotive technology.

Mr. Grundler holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of Michigan. He is an avid sports enthusiast. Mr. Grundler was raised in Michigan and divides his time between Washington, D.C. and Ann Arbor, Michigan.