Today, Joseph Goffman was nominated as assistant administrator for the Office of Air and Radiation at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation handles implementation of the Clean Air Act, mitigating emissions of harmful air toxics like mercury and lead, and setting strong standards for addressing particulate matter pollution, otherwise known as PM, which causes thousands of premature deaths each year and disproportionately harms communities of color. It also plays a key role in regulating emissions that contribute to climate change. Goffman has already been serving as the principal deputy assistant administrator in this office for the last year.

The following is a statement from Raul Garcia, legislative director for Healthy Communities at Earthjustice:

“There are few people who know the Clean Air Act as well as Joe Goffman. He is well-qualified for this role and has a demonstrated commitment to protect communities from harmful air pollution. Under his leadership, the EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation will oversee the implementation of the Clean Air Act and countless other laws that have real-life and potentially life-saving impacts on the air quality of communities across the country. Goffman’s legislative and administrative experience and expertise will serve the agency — and the communities it needs to protect — well. We look forward to a speedy Senate confirmation so that the Office of Air and Radiation can finally live up to its mandate to ensure that our air is safe and our communities are protected.”