Federal
RSSFederal policy in Alaska is the set of decisions, agencies and spending from Washington, D.C. that reach the state. It covers Congress, federal agencies and courts that decide spending, regulations, military bases, public lands and benefits programs like Medicaid and food aid.
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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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About Federal
Federal policy in Alaska is the set of decisions, agencies and spending from Washington, D.C. that reach the state. It takes in Congress, federal agencies and federal courts, which decide spending, regulations, military bases, public lands and benefits programs such as Medicaid and SNAP food aid.
Recurring questions include how Alaska's congressional delegation votes on nominations and bills, which federal programs reach the state, and how federal rules on emissions, permitting, immigration and food aid change what Alaskans and the state government must do. Defense and homeland security spending in Alaska, from the Coast Guard to missile defense and military land, also recurs.
The subject sits within politics and government and overlaps with the military, the federal courts and the budget. It also includes federal court cases involving the state, such as Justice Department suits over Alaska election results.
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