EPA Toxics Nominee Pledges to Speed Chemical, Pesticide Reviews

President Donald Trump’s nominee to oversee the EPA’s chemicals and pesticides office pledged to make sure new substances are reviewed quickly with workable safety restrictions.

Douglas Troutman wouldn’t commit at a Senate nomination hearing Wednesday to changing assumptions the Environmental Protection Agency uses to evaluate pesticides to include what Sen. Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.) said would be more realistic.

Nor did Troutman answer questions from other senators about whether the agency would examine risks faced by communities living near factories and other facilities that release chemicals.

The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee held the hearing to consider Troutman, who’s been ...