EPA air nominee pledges faster action on state air plans and refinery petitions

Justin Schwab, President Trump's nominee to lead the EPA's Office of Air and Radiation, told the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee on Tuesday that he would work to speed decisions on state air plans and small refinery petitions if confirmed. He offered no firm completion dates.

The office carries out the Clean Air Act. EPA approves Alaska's air quality plans, including the Fairbanks Air Quality Plan. It finalized approval of the revised Fairbanks fine-particle plan last year, extending the area's deadline to meet the standard to Dec. 31, 2027. EPA shares Clean Air Act permitting with the state Department of Environmental Conservation, which issues most permits.

Sen. Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming, who chaired the hearing, pressed Schwab on small refinery exemptions. He said he would work to decide those petitions "in a timely manner through efficient consultation with the Department of Energy." He agreed to work with Sens. John Curtis of Utah, Jon Husted of Ohio and Alex Padilla of California on delayed state plans.

Schwab said people can disagree in good faith about how much authority Congress has given EPA, and that keeping the agency within those bounds does not reflect a lack of concern for health and the environment.

Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, the committee's ranking Democrat, called Schwab a conflict of interest, citing his fossil fuel clients and his Project 2025 work with Aaron Szabo. Schwab said he knew of no matter that could place him in a conflict.

Written questions are due 5 pm Friday, Nov. 13. Schwab's answers are due 5 pm Monday, Nov. 16.