Lee M. Zeldin was sworn in as the 17th EPA Administrator in a 56 to 42 vote, with two abstained votes, causing concern among climate experts.
Upon accepting the role, Zeldin wrote, “Honored to begin this exciting journey as the 17th EPA Administrator. Together, we will harness the greatness of American innovation with the greatness of American conservation and environmental stewardship. Time to get to work!”
However, not everyone is convinced. The executive director of the Citizen’s Campaign for the Environment congratulated Zeldin in a statement but implored him to address the climate concerns ramping up in the United States and around the world. She’s not the only one concerned with the implications of a President Trump-appointed EPA Administrator, as the president has called climate change a “hoax.”
Zeldin confirmed to Bernie Sanders that he believes climate change is real. Climate-concerned politicians and environmentalists urge him to stick to his roots and voting history regardless of future party or presidential pressure.
Lee M. Zeldin: The New EPA Administrator
Long Island local Zeldin has made environmental-friendly decisions, like fighting to preserve Plum Island and its environmental resources. He represented the 1st Congressional District from 2015 to 2023.
At Zeldin’s confirmation hearing, he had to answer questions on important environmental topics like clean drinking water, climate change and related issues, solar energy, and PFAS.
On his appointment, Zeldin posted on social media, “It is an honor to join President Trump’s Cabinet as EPA Administrator. We will restore US energy dominance, revitalize our auto industry to bring back American jobs, and make the US the global leader of AI. We will do so while protecting access to clean air and water.”
Given that most of those statements have little to do with the actual environment (and many climate experts argue that some directly counteract environmental protection practices), climate advocates are asking Zeldin to focus on preserving the environment — the entire purpose of the EPA.
Bernie Sanders Asks Zaldin the Burning Questions
Senator Bernie Sanders pulled no punches, asking Zaldin the hard-hitting questions on environmental advocates’ minds. He noted that 2024 was the hottest year in recent history, citing the “horrific situation in Los Angeles,” abnormal flooding in China, and droughts in Africa and Brazil.
Given that Zeldin has been a staunch supporter of President Trump for years, Sanders asked, “In the midst of all this, Trump has said that climate change is a hoax. If confirmed, you will be one of the leading spokespersons in the world. Do you agree?”
Zeldin confirmed his belief in climate change but defended President Trump’s statement as cost-based concerns about the “policies enacted because of climate change.”
Sanders wanted to know if Zeldin would work with nations like China, Europe, and Latin America to “aggressively” cut carbon emissions. Zeldin responded, “It’s very important to be reaching out to other countries to make sure there is pressure on other nations to do their part. It’s my job to lose sleep at night to make air and water cleaner.”
Executive Director of The Citizens Campaign Adrienne Esposito Makes a Strong Statement
After congratulating Zeldin on winning the vote, Esposito’s statement called out the past Trump administration’s track record of anti-environment actions, such as rolling back critical water protections, trying to halt renewable energy development, failing to fight climate change, and prioritizing profits over pollution.
However, Esposito praised Zeldin’s work as a congressman, where he fought to prevent East Cast offshore drilling, protected drinking water from PFAS, and supported offshore wind, as he was someone “living in a community directly impacted by climate change.”
Esposito noted some of the significant climate shifts the United States has faced recently, such as the still-raging Los Angeles wildfires, rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and the PFAS and lead contamination many Americans are finding in their drinking water.
Esposito bluntly wrote, “Americans need the EPA to do its job. Americans need the EPA to provide us a future filled with promise, not a future filled with pollution. We are counting on Administrator Zeldin to remember his roots and past votes and to continue to fight climate change and stand strong against efforts to weaken protections for the air we breathe, the water we drink, and our family’s health.”
Esposito pointed out Zeldin’s job title contains the words “environmental protection,” which should be his focus. However, she wrote that she looked forward to working with him as the new “guardian of our nation’s environment.” The question is whether or not he will live up to her hopes and those of other climate activists.
