User:DamienBreen
Damian Breen is an accomplished environmental professional and the founder of Environmental Communications Strategies. With a career spanning 29 years, beginning in 1995 when he was recruited out of college to run and refurbish the largest privately owned wastewater treatment plant in Europe at Anglo Irish Beef Processors Cahir, Co. Tipperary, Ireland.
Having successfully completed that project, he moved to New York in 1996, where he worked as a consultant for the Federal Housing Authority, NYC Board of Education, Con Edison, US Postal Service, NYC Department of Transport and Amtrak performing lead, asbestos, occupational safety, phase I, II and III environmental assessments.
In 1997 Damian was hired by Home Savings of America Bank in San Bruno, California, to do similar work, performing Phase I and Limited Environmental Assessments to establish environmental reserve levels for property transactions.
In 1999, Damian joined the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (Air District) as an entry-level Air District Inspector. There, he conducted inspections and issued over 280 notices of violation in just 1.5 years. Damian played a crucial role in executing inspection warrants and acted as a key witness for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) in a criminal prosecution for the sale of illegal automotive refrigerants. His solid expertise earned him a promotion to Air Quality Specialist. In this position, he investigated major pollution incidents at Bay Area Refineries, addressing deficiencies identified by the USEPA. Damian authored a landmark refinery wastewater rule, reducing over 40 tons of emissions. In 2003, he contributed to the development of the groundbreaking flare minimization rule, addressing deep-rooted community grievances. Damian spearheaded digitization efforts, modernized programs, and enhanced capabilities as a Supervising Specialist. In 2007, he became the Manager of the Grants and Incentives Program, modernizing and expanding funding to $100 million annually. Damian was promoted to Director of Grants and Incentives in 2010, overseeing the successful reduction of toxic emissions at the Port of Oakland.
In 2014, he became the Deputy Air Pollution Control Officer, leading the Technology Section and overseeing the district's relocation. In 2018, Damian established the Technology Implementation Office and the Climate Technology Finance Program, which funded projects reducing emissions.
Outside of his professional accomplishments, Damian Breen is a dedicated musician and philanthropist. He actively participates in a band that organizes an annual charity event for the San Francisco Fire Department's Toy Drive, raising over $6,000 over the past five years. His extensive experience, leadership, and dedication have made him a highly respected figure in the field, shaping policies and improving the quality of life for communities.
