WASHINGTON, D.C. (AP)-- President Donald Trump has picked a chemical industry insider to run the Environmental Protection Agency office that oversees emergency response to hazardous spills and cleanups of the nation's most toxic sites.
The White House announced Friday that Trump has nominated Peter C. Wright to serve as EPA's assistant administrator for Land and Emergency Management.
Wright has worked as a corporate lawyer at Dow Chemical Co. since 1999.
If confirmed by the Senate, Wright would oversee the EPA office with oversight of the Superfund hazardous waste cleanup program.
Dow merged with rival Dupont last year, creating the world's largest chemical maker.
Companies are responsible for cleaning up toxic sites where they caused pollution.
Asked about potential conflicts of interest, an EPA spokesman said Wright would meet with the agency's ethics office.