Scott Mason IV has been appointed as the new leader of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Region 6, covering areas known for oil and gas production and industrial pollution, such as Louisiana’s Cancer Alley, the Gulf Coast, and the Permian Basin. Mason’s background includes advising on the EPA chapter of Project 2025, a document from the Heritage Foundation that aims to align the agency with industry priorities.
According to Region 6 spokesperson Jennah Durant, Mason is committed to ensuring access to clean air, land, and water for all Americans. He will focus on protecting human health and the environment in Texas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and 66 Tribal Nations. However, environmentalists have expressed concerns about Mason’s appointment, particularly regarding environmental justice efforts in the region, given his background in Oklahoma politics and higher education.
The transition in leadership comes at a crucial time for environmental regulation in the region. Under the Biden administration, EPA regional offices have played a key role in implementing federal programs and prioritizing environmental justice initiatives. Jen Duggan, Executive Director of the Environmental Integrity Project, emphasized the importance of strong leadership in regional offices to protect communities from harmful pollution.
Mason replaces Earthea Nance, a former civil engineer and disaster recovery expert, who used her role to address pollution issues and promote climate and environmental justice programs. Nance’s efforts included observing fracking emissions in Dallas, advocating for electric school buses in El Paso, and visiting urban farms in Tulsa. She expressed gratitude to the regional staff for their dedication to ensuring clean air, land, and water for all.
As the leadership changes hands, concerns have been raised about potential layoffs at the agency, leaving many civil servants in Region 6 uncertain about their future. The region’s role in overseeing environmental programs and monitoring state regulators remains crucial for protecting public health and the environment in the face of ongoing challenges. The Trump administration’s recent actions at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have raised concerns about the future of environmental justice programs and initiatives. According to a report from The New York Times, more than 1,100 EPA employees have been notified that they could be fired immediately. Additionally, on February 7, the EPA press office announced that 168 agency employees working in environmental justice programs had been placed on administrative leave.
One of the key figures involved in these changes is Regional Administrator Mason, who hails from rural Cordell, Oklahoma, and has a background in political science. Mason previously served as the EPA director for the American Indian Environmental Office during the first Trump administration and has also worked on federal programs for the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin. He has been described as committed to implementing the President’s agenda and the EPA’s ‘Powering the Great American Comeback’ Initiative.
Mason was recently tapped to work on Project 2025, a conservative governance playbook authored by the Heritage Foundation and former Trump staffers. The document calls for significant changes at the EPA, including the elimination of the Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights, as well as the Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assistance. It also recommends relocating EPA regional offices for cost savings.
Environmental advocates, such as Matthew Tejada from the Natural Resources Defense Council, have expressed concern about the potential impact of Project 2025 on environmental justice communities. Region 6, which Mason oversees, is home to a significant petrochemical industry that has historically impacted Black, Latino, and Indigenous communities. During the Biden administration, efforts were made to address these environmental injustices through initiatives like Justice40, which aimed to direct resources to disadvantaged communities.
The Biden EPA collaborated with state agencies like the New Mexico Environment Department to address issues like methane emissions in the Permian Basin. These efforts resulted in multi-million dollar settlements with oil and gas companies. However, the recent changes at the EPA under the Trump administration have left many environmental justice advocates and community groups uncertain about the future of these crucial initiatives. The New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) has announced their intention to exercise their permitting and enforcement authorities in the region. This decision comes as a response to the removal of platforms like the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool from the agency’s website, which has raised concerns among environmental activists about the impact on disadvantaged communities.
NMED Secretary Kenney and Regional Administrator Mason have already begun discussions to address these issues. However, the elimination of such initiatives could have a detrimental effect on communities throughout the region. Environmental activists, such as EIP’s Duggan, have expressed concerns that without proper oversight, corporations may continue to exploit these neighborhoods at the expense of clean air and water.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) plays a crucial role in ensuring environmental justice and stepping in when states fail to protect their communities. With the removal of key tools and resources, there is a growing fear that the agency may not be able to effectively regulate and enforce environmental laws.
In other areas, regional administrator Mason may face pressure from industry representatives and Republican politicians to preserve Biden-era programs, such as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This law provided funding to plug orphan oil and gas wells and reduce methane emissions, benefiting states like Oklahoma and Texas.
The Oklahoma Corporation Commission reported that federal funds from the infrastructure act had already been used to plug over 1,000 wells in the state. However, a pause on federal grants and loans has left the future of the well plugging program uncertain. The commission is working to position itself to quickly resume the program and address the thousands of orphaned wells still in need of attention.
Overall, the NMED’s commitment to exercising their permitting and enforcement authorities is crucial in ensuring the protection of communities and the environment in the region. By working closely with regional stakeholders and addressing key issues, they can continue to uphold environmental justice and hold corporations accountable for their actions.
