Chris Bast

Chris was appointed to the position of Chief Deputy of the Department of Environmental Quality in June, 2018. In addition to helping run the daily operations of the DEQ, Chris provides strategic communications and policy support for the agency and works across the Administration to promote climate action and a comprehensive climate agenda. In this role, Chris focuses broadly on transportation decarbonization, environmental and climate justice, and building policy support for strong climate action. A native Virginian, Chris recently moved back to the Commonwealth after spending eight years at the forefront of climate and clean energy policy in the Northwest - first working for Climate Solutions, a regional climate and clean energy advocacy organization, and then as the lead transportation decarbonization advisor for the City of Seattle. He received his undergraduate degree from James Madison University and his MPA from Seattle University.