A Conversation With: Mark Hand

Mark Hand, 41, joined the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection almost two decades ago as a geologic specialist. He is currently an energy program specialist and recently earned the Governor’s Award for Excellence for his efforts in organizing and leading the Drive Electric PA Coalition.

Hand has a bachelor’s degree in geology from Juniata College in Huntingdon.

He currently resides in Halifax and has one son, as well as his girlfriend and stepchildren and extended family living in the area.

: How did you help businesses, in particular, prepare for broader use of electric vehicles through the Drive Electric PA Coalition?

A: Creating the Drive Electric PA Coalition was a big first step for Pennsylvania. Other states have had policies and plans for years to support electric vehicles. Getting Pennsylvania to come together and get the broad-based coalition was a big first step. In the coalition we were able to facilitate the EV road map, and so the stakeholders got to participate in policy framework, the EV road-mapping process, which creates a number of strategies to move the adoption of electric vehicles in Pennsylvania.

There are about 18,000 battery-electric and hybrid-electric vehicles in Pennsylvania and if we’re able to implement the strategies in the road map, businesses will see potential economic opportunities like having the opportunity to build stations or add electric vehicles to their fleets. Especially as EV prices come down, it’s anticipated that electric vehicles should have a lower cost of ownership compared to internal combustion vehicles. The roadmap will organize Pennsylvania and get us in position to expedite what needs to be done to make EVs happen. We also have some incentive programs, so businesses can take advantage of our Level 2 rebate program and get funding for stations and alternative fuels vehicles.

What does it mean to receive the Governor’s Award for Excellence for your efforts?

It’s a great feeling to get the award. Oftentimes you get to be involved in projects and you don’t know they’ll be noticed or you don’t expect them to be noticed. In this case it’s very nice to receive affirmation that a project like this is going to have long-term benefits and value to the commonwealth and it’s nice the governor acknowledged that. It’s definitely going to be something that goes in my scrapbook and one of the highlights of my career.

You’ve seen a lot in your nearly two decades with DEP. What do you think will be the new environmental efforts businesses can prepare for?

The biggest challenge to me is climate change and climate mitigation; I think that’s probably the biggest environmental challenge of several generations. Where businesses can support sustainability or climate change mitigation, I think they’ll ultimately be viewed more favorably by investors and citizens looking to support businesses in the community. The younger generation sees this as a big challenge and that’s going to be a major part of our future.

What is your favorite nature spot in the midstate?

A few years ago someone in my office said, “Hey, you should go to Middle Creek (in Lancaster County) and see the snow geese.” I drove there that February and I was shocked by the 100,000 snow geese and swans you see out there. I didn’t even know that was in our backyard. It’s one of our treasures, really.