U.S. Senate confirms Zeldin to head the Environmental Protection Agency
On Jan. 29, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) swore in former U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-NY) as the 17th EPA administrator who will work to fulfill the agency’s mission of protecting human health and the environment.
Zeldin represented New York in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2015-23 and served as a New York State Senate member from 2011-14.
During his eight years in Congress, Zeldin worked across party lines to preserve the Long Island Sound and Plum Island and supported key legislation like the Great American Outdoors Act and Save our Seas Act to clean up plastics from the oceans. Zeldin is also an attorney in his 22nd year in the U.S. military.
Nominated by President Donald J. Trump days after his election, Zeldin’s confirmation was approved by the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee by a vote of 11 to eight and by the Senate with a 56 to 42 vote.
“Under Trump’s leadership, we will take great strides to defend every American’s access to clean air, clean water and clean land,” Zeldin states in a press release. “We will maintain and expand the gold standard of environmental stewardship and conservation Trump set forth in his first administration, while also prioritizing economic prosperity.”
Hearing details
U.S. Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY) introduced Zeldin at the U.S. Senate EPW Committee confirmation hearing, stating, “Zeldin represents a new era of clear rule and commonsense. He will correct the course of the EPA.”
During the hearing, U.S. Sen. John Boozman (R-AR), a member of the EPW Committee, secured a commitment from Zeldin to increase the agency’s communication and collaboration to balance environmental stewardship and the impact of regulations on farmers, businesses and opportunity for economic growth.
“We must ensure we are protecting the environment while also protecting our economy,” Zeldin states at the Jan. 16 confirmation hearing. “I strongly believe we have a moral responsibility to be good stewards of our environment for generations to come.”
During the hearing, Boozman encouraged Zeldin to work cooperatively with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on rules and regulations impacting farmers and producers.
“As issues affecting agriculture arise, I’ve found farmers and ranchers are best served when the EPA and USDA are working together,” says Boozman, asking Zeldin how he envisions the two agencies working together.
Zeldin responds, “I agree with everything you just said, senator. This must be our goal – the relationship between multiple agencies, including the interaction between the EPA and USDA.”
The hearing provides insight into the issues of highest interest and concern to EPW members, as EPW Chairman and U.S. Sen. Shelly Moore Capito (R-WV) notes several issues on which she hopes the EPA would focus, including cleaning up Brownfields and Superfund sites, addressing per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances contamination and ensuring the reliability and affordability of electricity.
WOTUS
During the hearing, U.S. Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-ND) questioned Zeldin on the role of cooperative federalism, particularly as it relates to the Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) and the 2023 Supreme Court decision in Sackett vs. EPA, asking Zeldin how the agency will handle the rule under his leadership.
“It’s important corners aren’t cut where durability is sacrificed,” answers Zeldin. “Laws are written by Congress, and there are cases which have come out from the Supreme Court providing the EPA with clear guidance on how we must do our job under the law.”
Zeldin explains it is important when leadership goes back to their home state, they can speak to their constituents with confidence and explain the federal government is doing its part to define what WOTUS is without them having to spend money to hire an attorney or someone to ensure compliance.
Cramer finishes his questioning by asking Zeldin about the existing burden on landowners to seek WOTUS jurisdictional determinations from the EPA.
“We face a reality where a lot of people don’t know whether or not their land has WOTUS on it,” responds Zeldin. “And, I would say it is a failure on the part of the federal government. Landowners should be able to confidently tell you, without asking questions from expensive attorneys, whether or not WOTUS is on their property.”
Showing support
On Jan. 30, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NBCA) Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane issued a statement congratulating Zeldin on his confirmation.
“For too long, the EPA has stood for ‘Ending Production Agriculture.’ Under Zeldin, we look forward to an EPA who acknowledges conservation efforts are only made possible by cattle farmers and ranchers – America’s original conservationists,” Lane states. “NCBA congratulates Zeldin on his bipartisan confirmation, and we look forward to working with him to protect the clean water and healthy soil American agriculture relies on every day.”
In a recent press release, Illinois Farmer and National Corn Growers Association President Kenneth Hartman, Jr. states, “We want to congratulate Zeldin for being confirmed by the Senate to lead EPA. We look forward to working with him on issues of great importance to corn growers, such as increasing ethanol blends and ensuring access to inputs required to produce food, feed and fuel.”
“Zeldin has made it clear he understands how important American-made biofuels are to Trump’s efforts to unleash American energy dominance,” states Growth Energy Chief Executive Officer Emily Skor. “He’s also committed to advancing year-round E15 and ensuring America’s farmers and biofuel producers have the regulatory certainty under the Renewable Fuel Standard to plan and invest in rural growth.”
“We thank Zeldin for agreeing to work alongside U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts (R-NE) and other rural champions on Capitol Hill to deliver a much-needed boost to the farm economy and greater fuel savings for hardworking Americans with homegrown ethanol,” she says.
A variety of organizations, such as the American Petroleum Institute and the American Trucking Association, have formally expressed their support for Zeldin.
According to the Steel Manufacturers of America President Phillip Bell, “The Steel Manufacturers Association believes Zeldin is an excellent choice to fight for manufacturing in America, and we offer our strong endorsement for his confirmation as EPA administrator. Zeldin will work tirelessly to implement Trump’s smart regulatory policy which aims to put America first.”
Closer to home, U.S. Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R- WY) released a statement congratulating Zeldin, stating, “After four years of disastrous environmental policy, Zeldin will restore commonsense and prosperity back out West. The Golden Age of America begins now.”
Melissa Anderson is the editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
