Brian Joseph McLean

Born in Washington, D.C. and raised in New Jersey, he was the son of Joseph E. McLean and Ann Arendt McLean. Brian received a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from Lafayette College, a Master’s Degree in City and Regional Planning from Rutgers University, and a PhD in City Planning from the University of Pennsylvania.

Brian served as an officer in the U.S. Navy Civil Engineer Corps, stationed at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard 1969 to 1972.

Brian worked for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, for 42 years, retiring as Director, Office of Atmospheric Programs, Office of Air and Radiation. He was a key contributor to the development of Title IV of the 1990 Clean Air Act (The Acid Rain Program) and the U.S.-Canada Air Quality Accord. His office was responsible for designing and implementing emissions "cap and trade" programs, establishing an efficient market-based approach to reducing emissions; and for developing and operating EPA's voluntary climate and ozone protection programs, such as Energy Star; and for supporting international climate policy development. Brian worked at solving environmental problems and in encouraging collaborative solutions by public organizations and the private sector for environmental problems. While doing this he represented the U.S. at conferences, workshops and meetings in the U.S. and abroad.

Brian was intensely interested in public policy, about which he would talk non-stop. He was an accomplished piano player, favoring boogie woogie music. He also enjoyed carpentry, especially designing and building furniture.

Brian was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Dotti; a son, Colin and his wife Lindsay; a grandson, Pearson; brothers Michael and Kevin. Brian was preceded in death by a son, Michael Patrick McLean, in 2012.

A funeral service in DC will be planned in the future.