Steve Lang and his team ensure that Maryland’s industries comply with stringent air pollution laws. They work to enforce the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Air Act regulations and the Maryland State regulations for air quality at facilities such as steel mills, cement plants, municipal waste incinerators, and electric power plants.
“We resolve air pollution issues no matter how long it takes,” Steve said. “We stick to it. And the proof is there: the air is getting cleaner, for us and for future generations.”
Steve is the Lead Regulation and Compliance Engineer for the Air Quality Compliance Program under the Air and Radiation Management Administration. He leads the effort to conduct inspections, respond to complaints, provide compliance assistance, and pursue enforcement actions when necessary. Steve supervises five other engineers, and together they serve to protect the health of Maryland’s citizens. He has worked for the Maryland Department of the Environment for 19 years.
Steve’s team is focused on enforcing the standards put forth in the Maryland Healthy Air Act. The act -- the most sweeping air pollution program ever in Maryland and the toughest power plant emission law on the East Coast -- was developed with the purpose of bringing Maryland into attainment with the national standards for ozone and fine particulate matter by the federal deadline of 2010. The act, and the subsequent regulations, also requires the reduction of mercury emissions from coal-fired electric generating units and significantly reduces atmospheric deposition of nitrogen to the Chesapeake Bay and other Maryland waterways.
Steve grew up in Essex, Maryland. He became interested in the environment at a young age as a Boy Scout and eventually achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. He attended the University of Maryland at College Park, where he received a degree in Mechanical Engineering and then the University of Baltimore, where he received his MBA. Upon graduating, Steve found himself employed by the Baltimore County Department of Resource Management. He worked there for two and a half years until he was hired by MDE as a public health engineer.
Steve’s work within the Air Quality Compliance Program helps to protect not only Maryland’s environment, but also the health and welfare of its citizens. It is the dedication of people like him that makes clean air an achievable goal for the State.
