U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito, chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, conducted a hearing to evaluate the nominations of Sean McMaster for Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), John Busterud for Assistant Administrator for the Office of Solid Waste at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Adam Telle for Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works.
Senator Capito inquired about several key areas during the hearing, including FHWA's role in bridge funding and policy. She emphasized West Virginia's need for robust federal support due to its geographical challenges. Sean McMaster acknowledged this need, stating, "For the Federal Highway Administration, bridge safety is a paramount importance issue." He expressed his commitment to further progress on national bridge maintenance and enhancement if confirmed.
Addressing PFAS contamination was another focus area. Senator Capito referenced an EPA plan targeting this issue. John Busterud affirmed that PFAS is a high priority for the EPA and outlined plans to update guidance on PFAS destruction annually. He committed to preventing releases from manufacturing facilities and supported maintaining the polluter pays principle.
The prioritization of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) projects also came under scrutiny. Senator Capito highlighted concerns over project delays within USACE programs. Adam Telle addressed these challenges by emphasizing adherence to congressional mandates related to navigation, flood control, and ecosystem restoration as guiding principles in project prioritization.
The hearing underscored ongoing efforts by federal agencies to address infrastructure needs while managing environmental concerns effectively.
