The U.S. Senate on July 23 voted 48 to 47 to confirm the appointment of Aaron Szabo to serve as assistant administrator of the U.S. EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation. Biofuel groups are congratulating him on his appointment.&nbsp;EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation develops national programs, policies, and regulations that protect Americans’ health and the environment by addressing industrial and transportation emissions, monitoring air quality, facility permitting, radiation protection, indoor air, and preserving and restoring the stratospheric ozone layer.&nbsp;The Renewable Fuel Standard is among the programs housed within the Office of Air and Radiation.&nbsp;According to EPA, Szabo will&nbsp;lead the Office of Air and Radiation’s&nbsp;implementation of key provisions of&nbsp;several of&nbsp;the nation’s bedrock environmental laws&nbsp;including the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.epa.gov/laws-regulations/summary-clean-air-act">Clean Air Act</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.epa.gov/laws-regulations/summary-atomic-energy-act">Atomic Energy Act</a>.&nbsp;“Aaron has over 10 years of service in the federal government working in various roles to improve the lives of all Americans,” said EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin. “He knows firsthand how important it is to have access to clean air and is uniquely and highly qualified to lead the Office of Air and Radiation. I look forward to continue working with him to carry out our mission of protecting human health and the environment.”“Thank you to President Trump and Administrator Zeldin for the privilege of leading the amazing career and political staff in EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation,” Szabo said. “I look forward to continuing our focus on our core mission of protecting human health and the environment by providing clean air for all Americans. We will continue the ambitious and robust agenda set forth in this Administration to Power the Great American Comeback.”Szabo&nbsp;has served as a senior advisor to Zeldin since Jan. 20, 2025. Prior to EPA,&nbsp;Szabo served as a federal civil servant,&nbsp;first at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission,&nbsp;where he worked on nuclear power plant issues and regulations, and&nbsp;then&nbsp;at the White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, where he worked on major climate and air regulations. He continued his career civil service as the senior counsel at the Council on Environmental Quality, where his role expanded to include the National Environmental Policy Act and federal sustainability issues.&nbsp;After more than&nbsp;10 years of federal government service,&nbsp;Szabo&nbsp;joined a&nbsp;government advocacy and consulting company where he provided strategic advice and advocacy to companies looking to engage with the federal government. In 2023,&nbsp;Szabo became a government and regulatory affairs attorney at&nbsp;Faegre Drinker Biddle &amp; Reath, focusing on environmental and energy issues.&nbsp;Szabo holds degrees in economics, government and politics from the University of Maryland, College Park, and&nbsp;a&nbsp;law degree from George Washington University Law School.&nbsp;“We thank the Senate for confirming Aaron Szabo to serve as the assistant administrator for the OAR at this important moment for the future of the Renewable Fuel Standard,” said Geoff Cooper, president and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association. “RFA offers its congratulations to Mr. Szabo and we look forward to working with him to ensure that the administration’s proposal for strong 2026-2027 renewable fuel volumes is quickly finalized. We are confident that both EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin and Mr. Szabo understand the crucial role American-made renewable fuels like ethanol play in bolstering U.S. energy independence, lowering fuel costs for consumers, and strengthening the rural economy.”“We congratulate Assistant Administrator Szabo on his confirmation,” said Emily Skor, CEO of Growth Energy. “We look forward to working with him to build on EPA’s momentum in delivering a strong Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and expanding access to lower-cost fuels like E15.&nbsp;&nbsp;“Szabo brings more than a decade of public&nbsp;service and regulatory experience to this important role,” Skor continued. “His leadership will be essential to ensuring homegrown, American biofuels continue to play a central role in improving our nation’s environment while growing the bioeconomy. We are committed to continuing to partner with EPA to secure year-round E15 nationwide, drive investment in rural communities, and promote U.S. energy dominance.”&nbsp;&nbsp;"We congratulate Aaron Szabo on his confirmation as Assistant Administrator for EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation at a pivotal time for the Renewable Fuel Standard,” said Grian Jennings, CEO of the American Coalition for Ethanol. “We look forward to working with Mr. Szabo to swiftly finalize strong, multi-year renewable fuel blending targets and ensure that the 2026 and 2027 volumes remain whole and consistent with the law. We also appreciate his time with our DC Fly-In group this past March, a positive sign EPA is engaged on important biofuel issues. Ethanol remains a critical tool for strengthening U.S. energy security, lowering fuel costs for consumers, and supporting farmers."

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The U.S. Senate on July 23 voted 48 to 47 to confirm the appointment of Aaron Szabo to serve as assistant administrator of the U.S. EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation. Biofuel groups are congratulating him on his appointment. 

Senate confirms Szabo to EPA post

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