EPA Administrator Zeldin Celebrates First Month of Trump Administration Accomplishments
WASHINGTON – In the one month since U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin was sworn in, the Trump EPA has made major strides to Power the Great American Comeback. This plan outlines the agency’s priorities under the leadership of President Trump and Administrator Zeldin. The newly announced Powering the Great American Comeback initiative consists of five pillars that will guide the EPA’s work over the first 100 days and beyond.
Uncovering Extensive Issues with $20 Billion in “Gold Bars”
During his first week at EPA, Administrator Zeldin uncovered extensive troubling developments with $20 billion in “gold bars” the Biden EPA “tossed off the Titanic.” These taxpayer funds were parked at an outside financial institution to rush out the door and circumvent proper oversight. The Justice Department has been working hard to assist the EPA and the American taxpayers.
More Than $170 Million in Taxpayer Savings
In the first round of savings for taxpayers, Administrator Zeldin announced the cancelation of nine contracts related to DEI, environmental justice, and more, resulting in $59,776,673.70 in savings, and another $1 million in media subscription cancellations. In the second round, Administrator Zeldin canceled 20 grants totaling $60,958,537.30 in savings. EPA also identified and canceled a $50 million Biden-era environmental justice grant to the Climate Justice Alliance which believes “climate justice travels through a Free Palestine.” Much of this work was done with assistance from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
LA Wildfire Hazardous Material Cleanup Complete in Less Than 30 Days
EPA oversaw the agency’s largest ever wildfire hazardous waste cleanup following the catastrophic California wildfires. The Administrator worked to ensure that the EPA was compliant with President Trump’s Executive Order on Emergency Measures for California, directing the agency to complete the hazardous materials mission within 30 days. Thanks to the leadership of President Trump and Administrator Zeldin and the thousands of EPA staff on the ground working around the clock to get as many properties cleared of hazardous material as quickly and safely as possible, Californians are one step closer to being able to rebuild and come back stronger than ever.
Administrator Zeldin Leading the Way on the Ground
In his first full week at EPA, Administrator Zeldin visited three priority disaster sites to survey recovery efforts: East Palestine (Ohio) alongside Vice President JD Vance, Los Angeles (Calif.), and Western North Carolina. He also visited Flint, Michigan, as well. Administrator Zeldin also initiated his visits to EPA’s regional offices, starting in Region 2 in New York City to meet with EPA career staff and Regional Administrator Mike Martucci.
West Virginia Class VI Primacy
Administrator Zeldin signed a final rule approving West Virginia’s Class VI primacy application alongside U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), and Congressman Riley Moore (R-WV-02). By granting State primacy for Class VI Wells under the Safe Drinking Water Act, EPA recognizes that West Virginia is best positioned to protect underground sources of drinking water while bolstering energy independence and dominance. This marks the fourth time a state has received primacy for Class VI wells since 2018 and the third approval under President Trump’s leadership.
California Waivers
Alongside President Trump and the newly created National Energy Dominance Council, Administrator Zeldin announced the agency will be transmitting to Congress the Biden Administration’s rules granting waivers that allowed California to preempt federal car and truck standards promulgated by EPA and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The Biden Administration failed to send rules on California’s waivers to Congress, preventing Members of Congress from deciding on extremely consequential actions that have massive impacts and costs across the entire United States. The Trump EPA is transparently correcting this wrong and rightly following the rule of law.
Gulf of America
In accordance with President Trump’s Executive Order, “Restoring Names That Honor American Greatness,” EPA took immediate action to rename its Gulf of Mexico Division to the Gulf of America Division. The Gulf of America is a flourishing economic resource critical to our nation’s economy. This body of water is one of the most abundant oil and gas regions in the world, providing roughly 14% of America’s crude-oil production and a wealth of natural gas. EPA is committed to protecting the 1,630 miles of this watershed, comprised of a vibrant marine ecosystem made from 33 rivers draining from 31 U.S. states. The Gulf of America will help power our Great American Comeback.
Lowering Costs of Household Appliances & Increasing Consumer Choice
Administrator Zeldin took action to overhaul all Biden-Harris Administration WaterSense specifications. These specifications developed during the last administration drive up the cost of living for American consumers and lower the quality of household appliances. At the same time, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is also undertaking a process of postponing seven home appliance rules that were finalized under the last administration, including energy efficiency standards for central air conditioners, clothes washers and dryers, general service lamps, walk-in coolers and freezers, gas instantaneous water heaters, commercial refrigeration equipment, and air compressors.
Return to Work - Ending DEI/EJ
Within less than a month, more than 5,000 EPA employees in Washington, D.C., and across the country returned to the office. In accordance with President Trump’s Return to Work Executive Order, Administrator Zeldin announced the end of full time, COVID-era remote work policies. The American people rely on EPA employees to help protect their access to clean air, land and water. With the return to in person work, EPA can better partner, collaborate and deliver for all Americans. Additionally, EPA placed 171 employees working on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility, and Environmental Justice, on administrative leave in accordance with President Trump’s Executive Order “Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing.”
“It has been a very active first month, but we are just getting started. It’s exciting to see how much great work EPA is in the middle of right now to deliver clean air, land and water, and Power the Great American Comeback. I am proud to do my part at EPA to help President Trump usher in a Golden Age of American success,” said Administrator Zeldin.
Administrator Zeldin is committed to delivering for the American people by being a good steward of taxpayer dollars and enacting common sense policies that safeguard public health and the environment while tapping into American innovation, creating jobs, and Making America Energy Dominant Again.