Deputy Administrator Fotouhi Celebrates EPA’s Kerr Laboratory’s 60th Anniversary During Three-Day Oklahoma Swing

Deputy Administrator Fotouhi Celebrates EPA's Kerr Laboratory's 60th Anniversary During Three-Day Oklahoma Swing

November 4, 2026

WASHINGTON - On Wednesday, October 28, 2026, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Deputy Administrator David Fotouhi celebrated the 60th anniversary of the agency's Robert S. Kerr Environmental Research Center in Ada, Oklahoma. For six decades, the Kerr Lab and generations of EPA scientists have worked to meet the challenges of protecting our nation's drinking water from pollution and safeguarding our soil and groundwater resources. Deputy Administrator Fotouhi was joined by Assistant Administrator of the Office of International Tribal Affairs Usha-Maria Turner, Associate Administrator of the Office of Applied Science and Environmental Solutions Teresa Booeshaghi, and U.S. House Appropriations Chairman Tom Cole (R-OK-4) to mark the historic day as EPA renewed its commitment to putting science at the forefront of the Agency's work.

"As a proud Oklahoman, it was great to be back in the state to meet with stakeholders, EPA employees, elected officials, tribal leaders, and other federal partners. From EPA's premier ground water research center to the energy production and farms and ranches across the state, Oklahoma is uniquely positioned to meet the needs of our nation," said EPA Deputy Administrator Fotouhi."EPA stands ready to help all Americans achieve cleaner air, land, and water, while growing our economy, and will continue to rely on the gold standard of science to do so."

"With thriving, diverse industries; abundant natural resources; and even some of our nation's premier Brownfields programs, Oklahoma shows it's possible to protect the environment while promoting economic growth. EPA Region 6 will continue working with our state and local partners to ensure we continue delivering results across the board for the people of Oklahoma," said EPA Region 6 Administrator Scott Mason.

The Kerr Lab celebration was part of a 3-day swing by the Deputy Administrator in Oklahoma to highlight EPA's commitment to advancing the gold standard of science, supporting our nation's agricultural, energy, and aerospace sectors, and cleaning up former contaminated areas for productive community use.

Additionally, on Wednesday, Deputy Administrator Fotouhi toured Boeing's facility in Midwest City, Oklahoma. Boeing employs more than 3,700 people in the Midwest City area and modernizes aircraft for the U.S. military and international allies. The visit highlighted EPA's work to support Oklahoma's manufacturing economy through a more efficient and predictable air-permitting process. Deputy Administrator Fotouhi concluded the day by touring the site remediation work ongoing at Tinker Air Force Base. EPA is committed to continuing to work with its federal and state partners to find practical solutions that protect human health and the environment while also ensuring our nation's warfighters have what they need to be mission-ready.

On Thursday, October 29, 2026, Deputy Administrator Fotouhi and Region 6 Administrator Mason visited Jensen Farms in El Reno, Oklahoma, to see first-hand the realities of running a diversified agricultural operation. The pair was joined by members of the Oklahoma Farm Bureau. Following the tour, both EPA officials participated in a roundtable to hear directly from farmers and ranchers about how federal requirements affect their operations and where EPA can help reduce unnecessary costs and obstacles. Topics of discussion included EPA's proposed new definition of "Waters of the United States" under the Clean Water Act and the agency's work to reduce the pesticide backlog and reverse Diesel Exhaust Fluid deratements.

To conclude events on Thursday, Deputy Administrator Fotouhi and Regional Administrator Mason toured properties in Oklahoma City that have benefited from EPA's Brownfield Redevelopment program, including Scissortail Park, Fire Station #6, The Village at Walnut, and the First National Center. The tour highlighted how the city utilized several agency partnerships to address specific types of pollution at various properties and redeveloped the properties into usable areas for Oklahoma residents.

On Friday, October 30, 2026, Deputy Administrator Fotouhi and Regional Administrator Mason participated in a roundtable discussion with members of the Petroleum Alliance of Oklahoma to speak about EPA's latest announcement to revise the oil and natural gas regulations known as OOOOb/c. The proposal, if finalized, is expected to save $45 billion in costs to consumers and businesses, including families and small businesses operating marginal wells, and to unleash an estimated 210 million additional barrels of oil and 1.41 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. Alongside U.S. Representative Stephanie Bice (R-OK-5), the pair also discussed other actions the agency is taking to unleash American energy dominance.

To conclude the trip, Deputy Administrator Fotouhi and Regional Administrator Mason met with Hamm Institute for American Energy Executive Director Jeff Starling to tour the institute's cutting-edge laboratory. This tour highlighted the high-tech facility that includes configurable well bores and specializes in applied energy research, helping to meet the nation's growing energy demands.

Throughout the visit Deputy Administrator was joined by members of the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality, including meeting with Energy and Environment Secretary Chris Schinnerer.