Former Congressman Lee Zeldin Picked by Trump to Lead the EPA
President-elect Donald Trump has announced that former New York Congressman Lee Zeldin will serve as the administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in his upcoming administration, a decision that highlights Trump’s commitment to reshaping the agency’s mission and priorities. Zeldin, a former representative who recently led the China Policy Initiative at the America First Policy Institute, shared his excitement for the role in a post on X, emphasizing his commitment to fostering “US energy dominance, revitalizing the auto industry to bring back American jobs, and making the US a global leader in AI,” all while ensuring access to “clean air and water.”
Zeldin’s appointment is expected to bring a significant shift in the EPA’s direction, as he will focus on overturning some of the Biden administration’s most ambitious climate rules. His top priorities include reversing tailpipe emissions regulations and easing pollution restrictions on power plants and oil and gas facilities. Speaking to Fox News, Zeldin remarked that his mandate from Trump is to reinvigorate economic growth through regulatory reform, noting Trump’s strong vision for the EPA as a driver of economic prosperity and energy independence. “President Trump wasn’t reading off a sheet; he rattled off 15, 20 priorities with a clear focus on what needs to change,” Zeldin said. “I have a feeling we’re on the verge of what could be the greatest four years we’ve seen of any president in the White House.”
Zeldin’s record on environmental issues as a congressman paints a clear picture of his approach. With a 14% lifetime score from the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) — the lowest of New York’s congressional delegation in 2020 — he often opposed legislation aimed at bolstering environmental protections, such as initiatives to replace lead service lines. However, he did diverge from the GOP majority in 2020 by opposing an amendment that would have reduced EPA funding, signaling a nuanced approach on certain budget issues.
Zeldin’s track record also includes voting against both Biden’s 2022 climate law, which dedicated significant funding to clean energy initiatives, and the bipartisan infrastructure law of 2021, which included provisions for clean school buses and toxic site cleanups. Under Biden, approximately $103 billion in climate-related funds have been allocated, including nearly $38.3 billion directly from the Inflation Reduction Act to the EPA. These funds are intended to support programs such as coastal protection, pollution reduction in the oil and gas sector, and various clean energy rebates — programs that may now face scrutiny under Zeldin’s leadership.
In response to concerns about the rollback of environmental regulations, Zeldin reiterated Trump’s commitment to clean air and water. “The president cares about conserving the environment,” Zeldin stated. However, he explained that the administration’s focus will be on using the EPA to champion economic growth through energy independence. He added that the agency would work to reduce “left-wing regulations” that he argues push businesses out of the U.S. and hinder economic competitiveness. Zeldin outlined plans for the first 100 days in office, which would include identifying and eliminating regulations perceived as restrictive to business growth.
The selection of Zeldin suggests a forthcoming emphasis on balancing environmental protections with economic and industrial expansion. As he prepares to lead the EPA, Zeldin faces the challenge of aligning Trump’s vision of energy independence and regulatory reform with the agency’s longstanding mandate to protect public health and the environment.
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