Trump taps Lee Zeldin to run EPA: NPR

President-elect Donald Trump has tapped former New York congressman Lee Zeldin to lead the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The nomination for EPA administrator must be confirmed by the Senate, where Republicans are expected to hold the majority of seats next term.

“[Zeldin] “will ensure fair and swift deregulatory decisions implemented in a way that unleashes the power of American companies,” Trump said in a statement released Monday afternoon, adding that Zeldin would continue to uphold “the highest environmental standards.”

Environmental groups condemned the nomination as a step backwards in environmental policy.

On the campaign trail, Trump swore repeatedly to increase domestic production of oil and natural gas. Him too criticized Democratic-led incentives for electric vehicles and promised Reduce current climate spending.

Zeldin pointed out some of these priorities in a post on the social media site X, confirming his choice.

“We will restore U.S. energy dominance, revitalize our auto industry to bring back American jobs, and make the U.S. the global leader in AI,” Zeldin said. “We will do this while protecting access to clean air and clean water.”

The New York Republican agrees growing list from Individuals expected to be in Trump’s new administration.

Zeldin, who previously represented Long Island, ran an unsuccessful gubernatorial campaign two years ago against the state’s Democratic governor, Kathy Hochul.

Zeldin opposed a handful He worked on climate-related legislation during his time in Congress, according to the environmental organization League of Conservation Voters.

In a statement from Ben Jealous, head of the environmental organization Sierra Club, he called Zeldin “unqualified.”

“Our lives, our livelihoods and our collective future cannot afford Lee Zeldin,” he said, “or anyone who attempts to carry out a mission that conflicts with the mission of the EPA.”