Peter (Pete) Lopez co-leads Scenic Hudson’s program staff with Seth McKee, executive director of The Scenic Hudson Land Trust, Inc. and Land Programs.

Most recently, Pete has been a special assistant for Climate and Renewable Energy to the New York State Commissioner of Agriculture & Markets. From 2017-21, he was administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Region 2 — one of its most significant and diverse regions — overseeing operations in New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and eight federally recognized Indigenous tribes. Prior to that, Pete served for a decade in the New York State Assembly, representing a district encompassing portions of the Hudson Valley, Catskills, Southern Tier, and Capital District.

Pete’s broad experience and expertise align closely with the goals of Scenic Hudson’s recently announced Climate and Environmental Justice Initiative. During this multi-year effort, it will ramp up its work and impacts in combatting the climate crisis and environmental injustice. The organization also will continue its longstanding actions to ensure equitable access to clean air, fresh water, and open space, and to transform formerly polluted industrial sites into new public spaces. Overseeing the operations of Scenic Hudson’s Policy, Advocacy and Science, Climate and Stewardship teams, Pete will play a pivotal role in achieving the initiative’s goals.