PROVIDENCE – Curt Spalding, the former executive director of Save the Bay, has been selected by the Obama administration to lead the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s New England office.

Spalding, a Cranston resident, led Rhode Island’s largest environmental group for almost 20 years before stepping down in 2008. He will now oversee EPA operations in the six New England states from its office in Boston. The agency has 10 regional offices nationwide.

“At this moment of great challenge and even greater opportunity, I’m thrilled that Curt will be part of our leadership team at EPA,” Lisa P. Jackson, the agency’s administrator, said in a statement. “He will certainly play an instrumental role in our agency’s mission to protect our health and environment.”

The selection was applauded by Rhode Island’s congressional delegation.

“The appointment of Curt is good news for Rhode Island and the region,” U.S. Rep. Jim Langevin, D-R.I., who also wrote a letter of recommendation to the EPA on Spalding's behalf, said in a statement. “I look forward to working with him in his new role as he continues to fight to preserve and protect our natural resources.”