Trump’s EPA Pick Draws Praise, Pushback Over Climate Policy
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A week after the presidential election, the administration of President-elect Donald Trump is quickly taking shape.
The incoming occupant of the White House recently picked former Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-N.Y.) to lead the Environmental Protection Agency. The former congressman — unsuccessful in his governor’s race in New York two years ago — would be at the center of Trump’s policy agenda specific to emissions and alternative-fuel technologies. If confirmed by the Senate, he would succeed administrator Michael Regan.
Zeldin expressed optimism about fulfilling key elements of Trump’s domestic agenda.
“We will restore U.S. energy dominance, revitalize our auto industry to bring back American jobs, and make the U.S. the global leader of AI. We will do so while protecting access to clean air and water,” he said on social media.
During his nearly 10-year tenure on Capitol Hill, Zeldin pushed back on the progressive policy proposal known as the Green New Deal. He also criticized the Biden administration’s climate-related initiatives and directives. He was a member of the Financial Services and Foreign Affairs committees.
On Capitol Hill, senior Republicans touted the announcement. Over the summer, more than 150 congressional Republicans detailed concerns related to the administration’s push to assist industries’ transition away from traditional sources of fuel.
“This rule will only further increase costs for American families, businesses and rural communities while fueling more inflation. We need to give Americans a choice in the cars and trucks that they drive, and affordability and performance for the trucking industry is paramount,” said the lawmakers in July, led by Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-Iowa) and Sen. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho).
Cramer
During next year’s consideration of his nomination, Zeldin is likely to encounter mostly friendly support from the Senate’s incoming Republican majority. Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), ranking member on the Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee, said: “Congratulations to my friend and former colleague [Zeldin] and [Trump] on this great appointment. I look forward to a very fast hearing and vote of confirmation in the [Environment and Public Works] Committee early in 2025!”
Freight stakeholders have applauded Trump’s choice for the EPA. During the Biden administration, trucking industry leaders raised concerns about government efforts to speed adoption of zero-emission vehicles.
Natso, representing truck stops and travel plazas, and SIGMA: America’s Leading Fuel Marketers, pointed to potential economic benefits during the incoming administration.
“Amid a rapidly evolving re-fueling landscape, we are eager to work with Mr. Zeldin to address such important issues as the need to bridge the gap between existing and emerging fuels as well as the need for a market-driven, technology-neutral approach to fuel policy,” the groups said Nov. 12. “We urge the Senate to quickly confirm his appointment once the new Congress convenes.”
As a candidate, Trump pledged to advance a policy agenda encompassing emissions reduction programs and domestic energy production. His campaign also called for prioritizing traditionally powered vehicles as well as reversing certain Biden-era climate change-centric projects.
Proponents of a robust climate change response from the federal government criticized the president-elect’s choice. Groups, such as the League of Conservation Voters, have raised concerns about Trump’s record on environmental policies.
Sittenfeld
“Trump made his anti-climate action, anti-environment agenda very clear during his first term and again during his 2024 campaign,” said the league’s Senior Vice President for Government Affairs Tiernan Sittenfeld. “During the confirmation process, we would challenge Lee Zeldin to show how he would be better than Trump’s campaign promises.”
EPA is among the agencies the president-elect has been focusing on in a post-election transition. Trump also named officials to run key agencies with direct policy connections to the trucking industry. To lead the Department of Homeland Security, Trump selected South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R) and for the Department of Defense he picked Pete Hegseth.
Elon Musk, an executive in the commercial transportation marketplace, and former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy were tapped to lead an ad hoc Department of Government Efficiency. Trump took to social media to express optimism about the collaboration with business leaders: “I look forward to Elon and Vivek making changes to the Federal Bureaucracy with an eye on efficiency and, at the same time, making life better for all Americans.”
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