Lee Zeldin Falls Short on Pledging to Protect Air, Water, and American Jobs

Washington, D.C. — Today, Trump’s pick to head the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Lee Zeldin, appeared before the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. In response to the hearing, Climate Power executive director Lori Lodes issued the following statement:

“As EPA administrator, Zeldin must protect Americans’ clean air and water over the profits of polluters. Given his ties to the oil and gas industry, and his previous plans to roll back essential clean air and water protections, Americans need real commitments. In today’s hearing, Zeldin offered platitudes and pivots over real promises to the American people. What’s more, Lee Zeldin refused to take a clear stance on protecting the clean energy investments that have created more than 400,000 jobs nationwide. If confirmed, Zeldin must protect our good-paying jobs, energy choices, and cost savings; and protect our clean air and water from corporate polluters.”

Here are the facts: 

• Previously, Zeldin promised to “roll back” protections that keep America’s air and water clean and safe. The first Trump Administration rolled back 125 environmental protections, including those that protect our clean air and water. 
• Lee Zeldin has seen the clean energy boom firsthand– over $115 billion in investments and 28,979 jobs in his home state of New York. In New York, 30% of power comes from renewables.
• In 2016, Zeldin said he wanted to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and achieve bipartisan solutions to climate change. Today, with $420,000 in oil and gas executive campaign donations, Zeldin denies climate change.