The Arizona Legislature's Committee on Director Nominations convened on June 23, 2025, to discuss the nomination of Miss Peters as the new director of the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ). This meeting comes at a crucial time as the state grapples with pressing environmental challenges, including air and water quality issues.

During her opening statement, Miss Peters highlighted her extensive background in environmental law and public service, emphasizing her commitment to balancing regulatory needs with community engagement. Having lived in Arizona for over 45 years, she expressed a deep understanding of the state's environmental landscape and the importance of local involvement in regulatory processes. Her experience includes working with various stakeholders, from power plant developers to local governments, to ensure compliance with environmental standards.

A significant focus of her presentation was on air quality management, particularly in the Phoenix-Mesa region, where ozone pollution has become a growing concern. Miss Peters acknowledged that while ADEQ does not directly issue most air quality permits, the agency has taken proactive steps to address the issue by collaborating with scientists and local organizations to better understand ozone formation and its impacts.

Water quality was another critical topic, with Miss Peters detailing ADEQ's role in regulating over 1,500 public water systems, many of which serve rural communities. She outlined the agency's efforts to provide technical assistance to these systems and ensure safe drinking water, especially in cases where contamination is detected. Additionally, she addressed the urgent problem of illegal cesspools and failing septic systems, which threaten groundwater quality, and outlined plans to inventory and replace these outdated systems.

The committee also discussed the importance of stable funding for ADEQ, which Miss Peters noted has been a priority during her tenure. She highlighted the agency's reliance on user fees and state support to maintain its operations and fulfill its mission of protecting public health and the environment.

As the meeting progressed, committee members posed questions to Miss Peters, seeking to confirm her commitment to transparency and accountability in her role. Her responses indicated a readiness to engage openly with the committee and the public, reinforcing her dedication to fostering trust and collaboration within the community.

The outcomes of this meeting will have significant implications for Arizona's environmental policies and the effectiveness of ADEQ in addressing the state's pressing environmental challenges. As the nomination process continues, residents will be watching closely to see how Miss Peters' leadership could shape the future of environmental management in Arizona.