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Frame from "Senate Environment and Public Works: Hearings to examine the nomination of Justin Schwab" · Photo source
Trump's pick for EPA air chief says he'll work to speed decisions on state pollution plans
President Donald Trump's pick to run the Environmental Protection Agency's air pollution office told senators Tuesday he would work to speed up federal decisions on state air plans, the kind of decisions that shape Fairbanks' long-running effort to clean up its air. He didn't say how fast.
Justin Schwab, the nominee to lead EPA's Office of Air and Radiation, testified before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. He is a senior adviser to the EPA administrator and was the agency's deputy general counsel during Trump's first term.
The office carries out the Clean Air Act, and EPA has to approve Alaska's air quality plans. That includes Fairbanks, which for years hasn't met federal limits on fine-particle pollution. Last year, EPA approved the area's revised plan and extended its deadline to meet the standard to the end of 2027.
No senator asked about Alaska. But several pressed Schwab on delayed federal reviews of their own states' plans. He agreed to work with senators from California, Utah and Ohio on their plans, and told California Sen. Alex Padilla he'd work to process approvals quickly. He committed to no dates.
Sen. John Curtis of Utah argued that states shouldn't be penalized for pollution they can't control. Schwab agreed, saying states shouldn't be held to account for emissions "whether it be from international emissions or whether it be from wildfires," and said he would work toward any rule changes needed.
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Washington, D.C., the District of Columbia, is the seat of the U.S. federal government. It holds the White House, Congress on Capitol Hill, the Supreme Court and the headquarters of executive agencies.
Decisions made there reach Alaska through federal budgets, defense spending at Alaska installations, veterans care, food aid and programs of the Indian Health Service. Votes and hearings in Senate and House committees, federal nominations, executive orders and Supreme Court rulings are recurring subjects, and Alaska's senators and representative take part in them.
Washington connects Alaska to federal agencies such as the VA, the Department of Defense and the Department of the Interior. Federal energy, health and transportation policy set there often applies to Alaska's distinct conditions.
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