BATAVIA, OHIO (Aug. 17, 2026) - Commissioner David Painter will serve as chair of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Local Government Advisory Committee (LGAC) for a one-year term beginning Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026.

Commissioner Painter was invited to serve by EPA Administrator Lee M. Zeldin. LGAC provides local government perspective to the U.S. EPA to help the agency understand the impacts its decisions have on local governments. 

"Local governments are on the forefront of addressing environmental and public health issues across the country," Administrator Zeldin said in his invitation to Commissioner Painter. "Working across the various levels of government to provide effective and efficient solutions is critical, and the LGAC has proven time and again to be a vital part of that work."

Administrator Zeldin noted that Commissioner Painter's experience in national municipal organizations and the private sector make him an excellent choice for the role. Commissioner Painter currently serves as vice president of the Clermont County Board of Commissioners and is the most recent past president of the County Commissioners Association of Ohio (CCAO).  Commissioner Painter's professional background includes significant experience as a manager in the private sector for engineering and construction projects. View his bio.

Commissioner Painter expressed appreciation for the appointment.

"I am honored to accept the administrator's invitation," Commissioner Painter said. "I look forward to joining my fellow committee members in this important work."

The advisory committee for the U.S. EPA consists of elected and appointed officials from across the country who represent non-federal interests. Commissioner Painter will represent local elected officials. 

The LGAC was chartered in 1993 to provide advice and recommendations that assist EPA in developing a stronger partnership with local governments. The committee is chartered under the Federal Advisory Committee Act, which regulates and governs its operation, including public participation and document access. 

Following is the full news release by the U.S. EPA originally issued Aug. 12.

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the revitalization of the Local Government Advisory Committee (LGAC), an advisory group comprised of state and local officials who will help to advance the agency's core mission of protecting human health and the environment while Powering the Great American Comeback. 

“Cooperative federalism is at the core of the Trump EPA, and we are proud to work with our state and local governments that are most closely connected to their communities’ environmental issues. Revitalizing the Local Government Advisory Committee ensures we are operating in lock step to protect human health and the environment while Powering the Great American Comeback,” said EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin. 

The LGAC will begin its new charter with a discussion of challenges local governments face when navigating the siting and development of AI infrastructure and data centers in a sustainable manner. This work will be discussed at a virtual public meeting this September, which will be published soon in the Federal Register. 

The 22-member committee represents a broad range of communities across the country, including 13 new appointments and 9 reappointments or continuing members. The Committee will be led by Ohio’s Clermont County Commissioner David Painter. 

“The synergies between environmental regulations and ensuring responsible performance in future projects are essential to moving America forward while protecting our environment for future generations,” said LGAC Chair David Painter. “This is our number one goal. The combined expertise of these members, serving in an advisory role, will result in practical advice that the Federal EPA can count on to guide its future.” 

The LGAC members and their affiliations are: 

• The Honorable Vicente “Tony” Ada, Senator, Guam
• The Honorable Lori Blong, Mayor, Midland, TX
• The Honorable Patrick Collins, Mayor, Cheyenne, WY*
• The Honorable Seth Crawford, Commissioner, Crook County, OR* 
• The Honorable Kendall Culp, Representative, Indiana General Assembly
• The Honorable Bob Dyer, Mayor, Virginia Beach, VA* 
• The Honorable Allison Eckel, Commissioner, Burlington County, NJ 
• The Honorable Chad Frank, Mayor, Connersville, IN* 
• Mr. Brian Fulton, County Administrator, Jackson County, MS
• The Honorable Leirion Gaylor Baird, Mayor, Lincoln, NE
• The Honorable Steve Gist, State Representative, State of Pennsylvania*
• The Honorable Matthew Jewell, Parish President, St. Charles Parish, LA* 
• The Honorable Jason Maxey, Commissioner, Weld County, CO* 
• The Honorable Doug McLinko, Commissioner, Bradford County, PA*
• The Honorable Matthew Murdock, Mayor, Pinedale, WY* 
• The Honorable Douglas Nicholls, Mayor, Yuma, AZ
• The Honorable David Painter, County Commissioner, Clermont County, OH 
• The Honorable Hattie Portis-Jones, Councilmember, Fairburn, GA  
• The Honorable Ben Queen, State Senator, West Virginia*
• The Honorable Ed Romaine, County Executive, Suffolk County, NY
• The Honorable Bill Rosacker, Mayor, Newberg, OR*
• The Honorable Martina White, State Representative, State of Pennsylvania* 

* Denotes newly appointed members 

Background 

Chartered in 1993 under the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the Local Government Advisory Committee is comprised of elected and appointed officials at local, state, tribal and territorial governments within the U.S., who provide independent policy advice to the EPA Administrator on a broad range of issues affecting local governments. 

For more information about the LGAC, visit EPA’s Local Government Advisory Committee (LGAC) website.