EPA Deputy Administrator Fotouhi Advances Trump Administration’s Alaskan Energy and Infrastructure Priorities During Trip to Anchorage and Nome
ANCHORAGE, Alaska – Last week, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Deputy Administrator David Fotouhi advanced President Trump’s day one executive order to cut regulatory red tape and fast-track critical infrastructure and permits across Alaska. Over the course of two days, Deputy Administrator Fotouhi, along with Regional Administrator Emma Pokon, spent time in Anchorage and Nome, Alaska, meeting with community members and state and local officials to discuss how to better solidify the state as a national energy and minerals powerhouse. His visit follows multiple trips to different regions of Alaska by EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin and other senior agency officials.
“On the nation’s 250th anniversary, we are celebrating all America has to offer—especially the unmatched resources and vast wilderness of the Last Frontier. From Anchorage to Nome and beyond, it’s these unique characteristics that drive economic opportunities, and it was important that I experienced it for myself,” said EPA Deputy Administrator Fotouhi. “For far too long, the heavy-handed and misguided approaches of previous administrations have hurt Alaska’s economy and way of life. The Trump EPA is committed to working with all Alaskans to advance the President’s agenda and secure energy and economic security through commonsense policies.”
“It was lovely to have Deputy Administrator Fotouhi in Alaska. During his visit we got to see critical energy infrastructure and share ways in which EPA has been able to support communities across the region,” said Regional Administrator Emma Pokon. “He got a true taste for the challenges the area is facing, but also the unique opportunities Alaska has to offer. I am grateful to him for making the trip out here.”
On Wednesday, June 17, 2026, Deputy Administrator Fotouhi spent the day in Anchorage, Alaska,where he met with senior members of the Governor Dunleavy’s team, including Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Randy Bates and Department of Transportation and Public Facilities Commissioner Ryan Anderson. The group discussed the vital importance of reliable energy and providing relief from burdensome Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) failures in extreme cold that Alaskan truckers have faced. The Trump EPA has been working expeditiously to address DEF system issues and intends to propose to remove deratements completely for new vehicles and engines in the near future. They also discussed the ways to continue to improve air quality across the region and to advance energy development, including the Alaska LNG pipeline.
Later that day, the Deputy Administrator keynoted the Resource Development Council annual membership luncheon, where he highlighted EPA’s efforts to unleash Alaskan energy, support mining, and permitting reforms the agency has taken over the last 17 months—all of which are helping Alaskan communities, industry, and tourism thrive. While at the luncheon, he also met with key Alaskan industry leaders and held a media availability. He ended the day with a tour at the Anchorage Water and Wastewater Utility, the state’s largest wastewater treatment facility which serves half the state and supports the nearby military base. U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan’s (R-AK) staff joined EPA for the tour.
On the second day, Thursday, June 18, 2026, Deputy Administrator Fotouhi traveled to western Alaska to visit the hub community of Nome. While there, he met with representatives from Kawerak, Inc., a tribal consortium and nonprofit, and the Denali Commission. Among topics discussed were contaminated site cleanups and the recent $10 million funding allocated to Kawerak from EPA, and in partnership with Denali, to address bulk fuel and fuel storage, a major issue for many communities in the area. The funding is part of the $140 million the Trump EPA provided to the state of Alaska to support infrastructure focused projects through the Denali Commission. In the afternoon, he toured the Port of Nome’s expansion project with Nome Mayor Kenny Hughes and port employees. When completed, the new dock space will help with the delivery of critical supplies, including fuel, while supporting the fishing and tourism industries and providing more space for the U.S. Coast Guard. Finally, he visited the proposed site for the Graphite One Mine, approximately 30 miles north of Nome. The mining operation will both help secure critical minerals for the nation and directly employee hundreds of local residents, bringing new economic opportunities to the region. While in town, Deputy Administrator Fotouhi joined KNOM Radio to discuss his visits in Nome.
