TDOT Adds New Air Quality Specialist to Headquarters Staff

Nashville, Tenn.—The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) announced today that a new air quality policy supervisor has been added to the department’s staff in Nashville.

TDOT Chief of Environment and Planning, Ed Cole, said Alan Jones recently joined TDOT to serve as Policy Analyst with the newly established Environmental Policy Office, a part of the Environmental Planning and Permits Division.

“Mr. Jones has more than 24 years experience in environmental policy and planning with state and federal environmental agencies, a private sector consulting firm, a university consortium research institute, and a state environmental advocacy organization,” Cole said. “We are fortunate to be able to add someone with those kinds of qualifications to our staff in this newly created and very important role.”

Cole said Jones’ extensive experience in air quality issues and policy, will serve the department and the state well in the area of future transportation planning.

Alan's responsibilities will cover a broad range of environmental policy issues related to transportation, including but not limited to land use, air quality and energy. He will be responsible for the review and development of legislation, regulations, administrative policies and public education and outreach efforts. In addition, he will advise and provide technical support to senior TDOT staff, other TDOT Divisions, local governments and metropolitan planning organizations regarding environmental policy issues.

Before joining TDOT, Jones worked with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) as a Senior Policy Analyst. He worked with TDEC as an expert on transportation, land use and energy issues, especially as they relate to air quality. Jones communicated with local government officials and business executives on strategies to reduce air pollution from mobile sources including cleaner fuels and vehicles and reducing vehicle miles traveled.

“In previous roles, Mr. Jones also advised senior state and federal officials on environmental policy, analyzed policy options and worked on environmental issues along the U.S.-Mexico border,” explained Cole. “His experience can only help our state as we begin to tackle the very serious concerns of non-attainment status in the realm of air quality in several regions of Tennessee.”

Jones officially began working with TDOT July 16, 2004.