Of all the government agencies that President-elect Donald J. Trump is threatening to downsize or eliminate, there is perhaps no bigger target than the Environmental Protection Agency.
During the first Trump administration, the nation's top regulators of air pollution, water pollution and industrial chemicals saw their budgets slashed, leading to an exodus of employees and weakening enforcement of environmental regulations.
This time, Trump could go even further.
President Biden restructured the EPA and used it to enact two powerful climate regulations aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions from tailpipes and power plants. But Trump has already promised to “repeal” the EPA's climate change regulations, and those close to Trump's transition plan to oust career EPA officials, eliminate scientific advisers, pollute air pollution and unjustifiably. It recommends the closure of offices that support struggling minority communities. water. There is even talk of moving EPA headquarters and its 7,000 employees from Washington, perhaps to Texas or Florida, as a way to reduce the workforce.
The demolition will be carried out by former New York congressman Lee Zeldin, who is scheduled to appear before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee on Thursday morning.
Zeldin's nomination puzzled many because he has little experience in environmental regulation.
But Zeldin, 44, who ran unsuccessfully for New York governor in 2022, is a Trump supporter who voted against certification of the 2020 election results. Friends say he has a long and loyal relationship with the president-elect.
“They have a unique bond,” said Republican lobbyist Chris Berardini. “New York Republicans have always tended to be close-knit. It's a very lonely fraternity.”
According to Berardini, the two have other things in common. Trump survived an assassination attempt at a campaign event last summer. In 2022, Zeldin was attacked by a man with a sharp weapon at a campaign event. “It's a delicate thread that weaves together personal relationships,” Berardini said.
Although Mr. Zeldin has no experience in environmental regulation, he and his supporters point to his years representing a Long Island district that includes miles of coastline and has a tradition of bipartisan environmental protection. are.
At the same time, Mr. Zeldin seems to accept Mr. Trump's seemingly contradictory positions. Trump wants clean air and water, but says he plans to eliminate regulations to ensure both and limits on greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels. It is associated with increased drought, wildfires, and flooding.
Upon accepting his nomination to head the EPA, Zeldin wrote to X: “We will restore America's energy advantage, revitalize the auto industry and bring back American jobs, and make America the world leader in AI. We will do it by protecting clean air and water. .”
Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-West Virginia), chair of the Environment Committee, said of Zeldin on Fox Business News Wednesday: It's the best way to solve those problems. ”
But Mr. Capito, whose hometown is a major producer of coal and natural gas, also seems confident that Mr. Zeldin will carry out Mr. Trump's plan.
“Senator Zeldin understands the need to reverse regulatory overreach, unleash America's energy, and enable Americans to build again, while protecting public health,” Capito said in a Facebook post last month. All while protecting the environment.” His skill set is well suited to implement President Trump's policies. ”
Mr. Zeldin is not. He has had a lot to say about whether he accepts established science on climate change, but he was also a member of Congress' bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus. But he voted against the Inflation Control Act, the nation's first major climate law that would funnel at least $370 billion to clean energy programs.
When New York Governor Kathy Hochul criticized Zeldin, she responded on social media, saying, “I only voted against the bill because it's terrible.”
Zeldin has voted against clean air legislation at least six times during his tenure in the House, according to a scorecard from the League of Conservation Voters.
But he boasted about securing federal funding to improve the health of Long Island Sound and voted in favor of a bill that would force the EPA to limit PFAS, a chemical that is harmful to the environment and human bodies. . The EPA under the Biden administration has set strict limits on chemicals in drinking water, and in 2020 voted against a bill that would have slashed the agency's budget.
Sen. Edward J. Markey (Mass.), the ranking Democrat on the Environment Committee, said he met with Mr. Zeldin on Tuesday and had “a good, candid conversation.”
Still, he questioned Markey's qualifications to run the EPA and expressed skepticism about his commitment to protecting air and water from polluting industries.
“I don't think his number one priority is protecting the community and the environment,” Markey said.
Regarding climate change, Markey said Zeldin said he “believes that human activities are contributing to climate change.” But he said, “My question is, what will the EPA's priorities be under his leadership?”
Lisa Friedman contributed reporting.
