Stony Brook University has appointed Michael E. White as the interim director of The Waste Reduction and Management Institute (WRMI), part of the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences (SoMAS). The announcement was made by Dean Paul Shepson, who oversees the institute.
Michael E. White is currently a SoMAS adjunct faculty lecturer and a consultant for Winters Bros. Waste Systems of Long Island, LLC, which was recently acquired by Waste Management of New York. Previously, he served as director of government affairs for Tunnel Hill Partners LLC. White is an attorney specializing in environmental law, solid waste, municipal law, land use, natural resources, and freight rail transportation. He also owns LI Strategies, Inc., an environmental planning consulting firm.
In his new role as interim director, White will manage WRMI's efforts to tackle complex waste issues on Long Island. The region faces challenges such as high per capita waste generation and insufficient disposal capacity. WRMI aims to mitigate these impacts through research, education, policy analysis, and recommendations.
"Stony Brook greatly values its role in the Long Island communities it serves," said Richard L. McCormick, interim president of Stony Brook University. "We are thrilled to welcome Michael White in his new role."
Dean Shepson expressed confidence in White's leadership: "I am delighted that WRMI and Stony Brook will have the expert leadership of Michael White."
White outlined his plans for addressing Long Island's waste management challenges: "The WRMI is creating an action plan to address challenges related to Long Island waste to energy facilities."
Recent activities at WRMI include securing a $250,000 Regional Solid Waste Management Planning Grant from New York State through the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). This grant aims to assess solid waste management practices on Long Island.
The institute was established by the New York State Legislature in 1985 and plans to expand its impact with support from an advisory board comprising experts from various sectors.
Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine congratulated White on his appointment: "I congratulate Michael White on being appointed as interim director."
Kevin Law, Chair of the Stony Brook University Council added: "Michael White is a terrific choice to run the WRMI."
Rich Schaffer from Babylon praised White's experience: "I've known and worked with Michael for almost four decades."
Matt Cohen from the Long Island Association noted: "Waste management is an issue on Long Island impacting our environment but also our economy."
Stony Brook University continues its mission as New York’s flagship public university with a focus on research and innovation across various fields.