The Uinta Basin’s unique geography that greatly complicates air quality issues was once again a topic during a Senate hearing in Washington, D.C. this week. A press release issued on Wednesday shared that during an Environment and Public Works Committee hearing on the nominations of David Fotouhi to be Deputy Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and Aaron Szabo to be Assistant Administrator for the EPA Office of Air and Radiation, U.S. Senator John Curtis secured commitments from both nominees to collaborate with Utah officials and stakeholders to address the state’s unique geographic challenges in meeting federal air quality standards. “During the exchange, Senator Curtis highlighted Utah’s significant progress in improving air quality despite 80% of the state’s ozone pollution coming from sources outside the region,” shares the release. “He expressed frustration with Biden-era EPA regulations that overlook this reality and continue to burden local communities and industries. The Senator also raised concerns about small energy producers in the Uinta Basin struggling to comply with methane regulations due to financial constraints. He advocated for a more outcome-based regulatory approach that allows for technological flexibility rather than mandating a predetermined solution. Both nominees agreed to work with regional administrators to find practical solutions.” Curtis also argued that the EPA has stalled the introduction of environmentally safer alternatives for their chemical approval process.
