EPA’s Zeldin Announces New Focus to Boost AI, US Automaking
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New U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin is spearheading a five-part “Powering the Great American Comeback” initiative that protects the environment and promotes industrial energy, including for artificial intelligence data centers.
“As we rapidly advance into this new age of AI, it is important that the United States lead the world in this field,” Zeldin announced Feb. 4. “Those looking to invest in and develop AI should be able to do so in the U.S., while we work to ensure data centers and related facilities can be powered and operated in a clean manner with American-made energy. Under President Trump’s leadership, I have no doubt that we will become the AI capital of the world.”
A recent U.S. Department of Energy report by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory forecast significant future energy demand in its “2024 Report on U.S. Data Center Energy Use.” The study noted the pace of energy used by data centers is growing “at an increasing rate” and jumped from 60 terawatt-hours a decade ago to 176 TWh in 2023 — totaling 4.4% of total U.S. electricity consumption. By 2028, data centers are projected to need from 325-580 TWh of electricity, potentially taking a 12% share of all U.S. electric energy usage.
Making the nation a preeminent AI leader is the fourth of five pillars of Zeldin’s new focus areas for EPA after he was sworn in Jan. 29 as the 17th administrator. He is a longtime politician from New York with dual careers. Having served in state government and the U.S. House of Representatives, Zeldin continues his 22-year service in the U.S. Army. He is a lieutenant colonel in the Army Reserve and was deployed with the 82nd Airborne Division to Iraq in 2006.
EPA’s Powering the Great American Comeback initiative will guide the agency’s work to protect human health and the environment, while restoring the greatness of the American economy over the first 100 days and beyond.
Learn more here: https://t.co/c1TdoZr7Ax https://t.co/eggYcKp3tl — U.S. EPA (@EPA) February 4, 2025
Zeldin said his plan will shape the agency’s first 100 days and beyond. The initiative’s first pillar is to ensure every American has access to clean air, land and water.
“I will ensure the EPA is fulfilling its mission to protect human health and the environment,” Zeldin said. “In his first term, President Trump advanced conservation, reduced toxic emissions in the air and cleaned up hazardous sites while fostering economic growth for families across the country.
The Trump Administration’s actions to rollback red tape will allow for a more expedient federal response and rapid reconstruction of roads and houses in western North Carolina following the destruction of Hurricane Helene. — U.S. EPA (@EPA) February 7, 2025
“We remain committed to these priorities in this administration, as well as ensuring emergency response efforts are helping Americans get back on their feet in the quickest and safest way possible. We will do so while remaining good stewards of tax dollars and ensuring that every penny spent is going towards advancing this mission.”
A second cornerstone will be to restore U.S. energy dominance by seeking American energy sources to lower consumer costs and be independent from other countries, especially adversaries. At the same time, the EPA will seek to take advantage of U.S. technological advances to develop green energy.
The third pillar is called “Permitting Reform, Cooperative Federalism, and Cross-Agency Partnership.” One goal will be to remove red tape from governmental permitting processes that cause delays and higher costs.
“It will be important for the EPA to work with our partners at the state and federal levels to ensure projects are being approved and companies can invest billions of dollars into our nation. Streamlining these processes, while partnering with businesses to follow the necessary steps to safeguard our environment, will incentivize investment into our economy and create American jobs,” Zeldin predicted.
EPA’s fifth cornerstone will be to safeguard and return U.S. automotive manufacturing jobs negatively impacted by prior government policies. “We will partner with leaders to streamline and develop smart regulations that will allow for American workers to lead the great comeback of the auto industry,” he said.
Zeldin’s appointment to lead EPA was welcomed by business leaders and trucking stakeholders.
Spear
American Trucking Associations President Chris Spear said: “Congressman Zeldin listened to advocates on all sides of environmental issues and worked with his colleagues as part of the Climate Solutions Caucus and Conservative Climate Caucus on proactive, constructive and results-driven approaches to key issues. This dedication to collaboration is exactly what is needed from an EPA administrator.”
Zeldin’s new role was also backed by John O’Leary, president and CEO of Daimler Truck North America.
“Zeldin has consistently shown the leadership and vision needed to address complex issues,” O’Leary said. “His commitment to advancing sensible environmental policies and regulations makes him the right candidate to lead the EPA.”
Congratulations to @LeeMZeldin on his confirmation to serve as administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency! ATA looks forward to the restoration of common sense in our nation’s environmental policies and will work with him to replace unrealistic electric-truck… — American Trucking (@TRUCKINGdotORG) January 29, 2025
Similarly, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Neil Bradley, executive vice president, chief policy officer and strategic advocacy head, supported Zeldin as having the leadership and vision “to ensure the EPA continues to uphold its mission while fostering economic growth and job creation.”
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