Matthew Hamilton reports in the Albany Times Union that local Assemblyperson Peter Lopez (R-Schoharie County) has been picked as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's new Region 2 administrator. "Pete Lopez has spent nearly a decade in one of the country's largest state legislatures working to improve the quality of life of his constituents," EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt said in a statement. "His familiarity with the region and his experience working to solve environmental problems in New York will be invaluable in helping EPA serve Americans in the Northeast and the Caribbean." Lopez now represents Greene and Schoharie counties, and parts of Albany, Columbia, Ulster, Delaware and Otsego counties. On Oct. 1 he will cover New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands for the EPA. Former Region 2 Administrator Judith Enck told the Times Union that Lopez interned at Environmental Advocates when Enck led that organization. "I think he is smart; I think he cares about the environment," Enck said. "He has always been interested in solar. And I think he'll be respectful of the career staff there.... It's going to be a challenge to advance environmental protection policies in this administration, but I think Pete Lopez is as good as it's going to get in this administration." Lopez has been in Albany since 2006. Lopez's seat will be filled either in a special election or in 2018 since it is too late to fill the seat this November 7. Gov. Andrew Cuomo would have to call a special election, or the seat will remain empty until the 2018 general election. The PFOA contamination in the Rensselaer County communities of Hoosick Falls and Petersburgh now is an issue for Lopez at the EPA. Lopez did not release a statement immediately after Pruitt's announcement. Read the full story in the Albany Times Union.