Lee Zeldin — Head Of The EPA: For Better Or For Worse?

Though people may now know him as the future of the Environmental Protection Agency and a member of President Donald Trump’s 2024 cabinet, Lee Zeldin was once a NY senator. Let’s look at his past policies and current promises which may spell disaster for the EPA.

Who is Lee Zeldin?

Prior to his current fame as the head of the EPA and a member of President Trump’s cabinet, Lee Zeldin was a moderate Republican New York State Senator who served from January 1, 2011, to January 3rd, 2023. With his Juris Doctorate and experience as a lawyer, as well as his time in the US Army as a Military Intelligence Officer, Federal Prosecutor, and Military Magistrate, it is no surprise that much of Lee Zeldin’s policies focused on military-related endeavors. During his time as senator, many of his policies revolved around supporting veterans, such as securing funding for the PFC Joseph Dwyer Program to help returning veterans in NYS cope with PTSD and traumatic brain injury (TBI). Other policies of his included supporting the local community by enabling New York brewers to expand, create jobs, and stimulate the economy. With this background on Lee Zeldin’s time as a senator, the big question is how does his background relate to environmental protection?

Why Zeldin?

To answer my former question, Lee Zeldin’s background doesn’t correlate with environmental protection, nor does he seem to have the extensive experience suited for leading an environmental organization. As a senator, Lee Zeldin’s focus laid with veterans and aiding the NYS community rather than the environment. For an organization such as the EPA, whose main focus is to protect the environment, Zeldin’s opinions often seem to counter their goals.

The few times Lee Zeldin was engaged in environmental policy revealed his contradictory stance. For example, with Biden’s climate change law, the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, Zeldin voted against the act. This legislation’s purpose was to increase access to clean, affordable energy, support climate-smart agriculture, and boost conservation efforts while also creating jobs. It also aimed to protect communities from the risks of increasing wildfires and extreme heat. Further, Zeldin has openly supported an unsuccessful campaign to overturn New York’s fracking ban. His open disapproval of environment-protecting legislation has led many to believe he does not align with the EPA’s mission to protect the environment.

However, contradicting himself, Zeldin supported conservation efforts by making a bill to protect and preserve Plum Island and its critical wildlife habitat during his time as a senator. In 2016, Zeldin joined the Climate Solutions Caucus whose goal is to combat climate change and protect U.S. economic prosperity. Zeldin’s collaboration with conservationists, alongside his support for anti-environmental protection legislation, has led many to doubt his stances and qualifications for the job. Having only voted for 14% of environmentally supportive legislation during his time as a senator, many believe he should not hold a position in an agency where he has contradicted the organization’s mission many times in the past.

This calls into question, why was Lee Zeldin chosen to run the Environmental Protection Agency? According to former Congressman Thomas M. Reynolds, Zeldin was an aggressive supporter of President Donald Trump during his 2016 Presidency. Due to this loyalty, President Trump likely believes that Lee Zeldin will abide by his vision for the EPA. Based on several statements by President Trump and his advisors, it seems what President Trump wants is deregulation, allowing for more free reign of the oil industry at the expense of the environment. Knowing the potential motives behind Lee Zeldin’s appointment as the head of the EPA, this decision could spell disaster for existing environmental protection legislation and policies.

Probably For Worse

Though there is no certainty, many EPA workers fear the upcoming reign of Lee Zeldin over the EPA. During the last term of President Trump, a substantial amount of damage was done to the EPA and its policies. As Nicole Cantello, the union president of AFGE Local 704 representing over 1,000 EPA workers, puts it: “The Trump administration systematically and intentionally undercut EPA’s ability to protect the public from toxic pollution. EPA leadership scrubbed references to climate change from the agency’s website, prevented our staff from practicing sound science, and blocked our ability to take enforcement action against polluters”. These actions deliberately against environmental protection at President Trump’s behest lead many to believe that President Trump’s upcoming term could spell disaster for both the U.S. and the environment.

Recap

As a senator, Lee Zeldin mainly concerned himself with legislation involving veterans and the community. Throughout his time as a senator, he only voted for only 14% of environmental protection legislation. This lack of involvement with environmental legislation left many shocked at his appointment as head of the Environmental Protection Agency and his addition to President Trump’s cabinet. According to former Congressman Thomas M. Reynolds, it is believed that Zeldin was chosen due to his aggressive support for President Trump during his 2016 term and because President Trump believes Zeldin will follow his wishes of deregulating the oil industry. Though nothing is confirmed, in light of these potential reasons, EPA workers and citizens fear the future of existing environmental legislation and the future of the U.S. environment.

References

The New York State Senate-Lee M. Zeldin

Audubon-New York

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)-FACT SHEET: Celebrating Two Years of the Inflation Reduction Act

The Washington Post-Lee Zeldin didn’t ask to head EPA. Here’s why Trump picked him

DW-Who is Lee Zeldin, Trump’s pick as new EPA head?

Reuters-Trump picks ex-congressman Zeldin to run Environmental Protection Agency