Beneath powerful questioning Thursday by Democrats on the Senate Surroundings and Public Works Committee, Lee Zeldin, President-elect Donald Trump’s alternative to go the EPA, affirmed a perception in local weather change whereas pledging strict interpretation of the nation’s environmental legal guidelines.
Zeldin, a former Home lawmaker from New York, is anticipated to be confirmed based mostly on robust help from Republicans. That left Democrats attempting to pin him down on inexperienced coverage and whether or not he differs from Trump’s acknowledged view that local weather change is a hoax.
“I imagine that local weather change is actual,” Zeldin stated underneath questioning from Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. “So far as President Trump goes, the context that I heard him talk about it was with a criticism of insurance policies which have been [enacted] due to local weather change, and I feel he’s involved concerning the financial prices of some insurance policies.”
He promised, underneath rather more cordial Republican questioning, to defend each the atmosphere and the economic system, in addition to strictly interpret the nation’s clear air and water legal guidelines.
“My first obligation will at all times be to comply with my obligations underneath the legislation,” Zeldin stated. “What brings us all collectively needs to be the last word purpose of getting clear air and clear water.”
The committee’s rating member, Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island, didn’t appear satisfied he would put the atmosphere first.
“Whereas working for president, [Trump] met the fossil gasoline business executives and instructed them they need to give him a billion {dollars} in trade for his reversing the principles to guard our air and water and restrict the air pollution that’s driving local weather change,” Whitehouse stated. “These particular pursuits now anticipate a return on their political funding.”
Whitehouse pressed Zeldin on whether or not he believes carbon dioxide emissions are a pollutant, the impact of these emissions within the ambiance and whether or not oceans are heating and acidifying.
In response, Zeldin deferred to “the scientists.” In a extra tense trade, Zeldin asserted that carbon dioxide shouldn’t be thought-about a pollutant underneath the Clear Air Act, prompting Whitehouse to quote Massachusetts v. EPA, a 2007 Supreme Courtroom determination that gave the company authority to control carbon dioxide as a pollutant.
And Sen. Edward J. Markey, D-Mass., cited remarks Zeldin made in Congress in 2016 by which he acknowledged that “the secret is to cut back our reliance on fossil fuels, to turn out to be extra environmentally pleasant and pursue clear and inexperienced power.”
“To begin with, I imagine in ‘the entire above’ power,” Zeldin responded.
“Local weather change hasn’t gone away, and I’m simply anxious now your change of tone is politics and never the science,” Markey stated.
Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., pressed Zeldin on marketing campaign donations he had obtained from oil and gasoline firms. Zeldin asserted that he wouldn’t permit donations — previous or current — to affect him on this place.
“Good luck standing as much as these guys, as a result of they’re gonna come at you,” Whitehouse stated.
Science or legislation
Zeldin reiterated that he would intently comply with the legislation — an assurance that appeals to those that argue that the Biden administration EPA overstepped its authority in issuing sure guidelines. Republican senators specified the outgoing administration’s strict requirements on pure gasoline, coal energy plant and automobile emissions.
Zeldin, responding to Sen. Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., stated he wouldn’t promulgate a rule that singles out a selected gasoline sort, however didn’t promise to rescind particular guidelines.
“I’ll inform you that I’ve heard issues from you and plenty of others on this chamber of how essential it’s to take a look at guidelines which might be presently on the books,” he stated.
Committee Chairwoman Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., touted Zeldin’s document in Congress supporting laws to “enhance innovation for clear power applied sciences and insurance policies that strengthened our nation’s power safety.” That features public land investments and marine particles cleanups.
Zeldin additionally voted in favor of payments aimed to restrict per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or “without end chemical compounds” in consuming water. He instructed senators that he intends to “transfer the needle” on cleansing up PFAS contamination throughout the nation.
Zeldin was first elected to symbolize a district on New York’s Lengthy Island within the Home in 2014. He didn’t search reelection in 2022 and as an alternative ran unsuccessfully towards Democratic New York Gov. Kathy Hochul. Throughout his time in Congress he was a member of the Overseas Affairs and Monetary Companies committees.
Zeldin voted towards each the 2021 bipartisan infrastructure legislation and the 2022 local weather, tax and well being care reconciliation legislation. He was additionally one of many Republicans to vote towards the 2017 Republican tax overhaul over opposition to adjustments for state and native tax deductions.
Since leaving Congress, Zeldin has chaired the China Coverage Initiative on the America First Coverage Institute, a assume tank launched by former Trump administration officers.