On Monday, November 11th, President-elect Donald Trump announced the appointment of former New York Congressman Lee Zeldin as the new head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Zeldin, who ran for New York governor in 2022, will focus on promoting U.S. energy dominance while maintaining access to clean air and water.
Trump expressed confidence in Zeldin’s ability to lead the agency, stating his goal to “ensure fair and swift deregulatory decisions that will be enacted in a way to unleash the power of American businesses.” Zeldin, for his part, shared in a post on X (formerly Twitter) that under his leadership, the EPA will prioritize both economic growth and environmental protections, aiming to “restore U.S. energy dominance, revitalize the auto industry, and make the U.S. the global leader in AI.”
However, Zeldin’s environmental record in Congress has raised concerns among environmental groups. The League of Conservation Voters (LCV) gave him a lifetime score of 14%. He opposed several measures under the EPA’s oversight, including initiatives to replace lead service lines. Despite his past positions, Zeldin has expressed support for improving the agency, signaling his openness to work with lawmakers on shaping future environmental policies.
In his new role, Zeldin is expected to challenge some of the climate-related regulations introduced by the Biden administration, such as vehicle emissions limits and pollution controls on power plants. In a recent interview, he outlined his goal of rolling back regulations that he believes are hurting businesses, while focusing on driving economic growth.
Environmental groups, given Zeldin’s history of opposing certain environmental measures, may closely monitor his actions. Nevertheless, his appointment aligns with Trump’s broader focus on reducing regulatory burdens, while boosting growth in energy and manufacturing sectors.
Zeldin’s appointment follows other key announcements, including the selection of Stephen Miller as deputy chief of policy. As the new administration prepares to take office, Zeldin’s leadership will likely be scrutinized as he seeks to balance economic priorities with environmental concerns.
