SOURCE:
https://patch.com/new-york/northfork/zeldin-confirmed-epa-environmentalists-ask-he-remember-roots
By Lisa Finn - January 30, 2025
LONG ISLAND, NY — As the Senate confirmed former Rep. Lee Zeldin as administrator of the Environmental Agency, local advocates are imploring that he "hold strong and do what's right to protect our environment and our future."
Zeldin was confirmed by the Senate in a vote of 56 to 42, with two not voting.
"CONFIRMED! Thank you to the 56 senators for your vote and confidence," Zeldin wrote on X, adding that he was "grateful" to President Donald Tump for "having the faith in me to be part of his Cabinet as EPA Administrator."
He later added: "Honored to begin this exciting journey as the 17th EPA Administrator. Together, we will harness the greatness of American innovation with the greatness of American conservation and environmental stewardship. Time to get to work!"
After the news, Adrienne Esposito, executive director of the Citizens Campaign for the Environment, released a statement.
"Citizens Campaign for the Environment congratulates Lee Zeldin on his confirmation as Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The past Trump administration has a track record of anti-environment actions including rolling back critical water protections, attempts to halt renewable energy development, abdicating its responsibility to fight climate change, and prioritizing polluting industry profits over American’s health. In contrast, as a Congressman, Lee Zeldin fought to prevent offshore drilling on the East Coast, protected drinking water from PFAS, and supported offshore wind, all while living in a community directly impacted by climate change. "
She added: "Wildfires continue to rage in California, sea level is rising, extreme weather events are now commonplace, PFAS and lead contamination in drinking water are rampant throughout America. Americans need the EPA to do its job. Americans need the EPA to provide us a future filled with promise, not a future filled with pollution. We are counting on Administrator Zeldin to remember his roots and past votes and to continue to fight climate change and stand strong against efforts to weaken protections for the air we breathe, the water we drink, and our family’s health. At the end of the day his job description is in the title, environmental protection. CCE looks forward to continuing to work with Administrator Zeldin in his new role to be the guardian of our nation’s environment."
Zeldin appeared before the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works for his confirmation hearing recently, the step before he would become the next administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
President-elect Donald Trump announced in November that he would appoint former Rep. Zeldin, a longtime supporter and political ally from Long Island, as administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
At the hearing, Zeldin answered a series of questions on a range of topics including PFAS contamination, solar energy, clean drinking water and other environmental issues.
He faced questioning from those asking about climate change and its impacts, including deadly fires, and flooding due to sea level rise.
Senator Bernie Sanders said 2024 was the hottest year in recent history with "unprecedented forest fires" and the current "horrific situation in Los Angeles." He also mentioned "unprecedented flooding in China and the drought in Africa and Brazil" that has led to death, with crops unable to grow.
"In the midst of all this, Trump has said that climate change is a hoax," Sanders said. "If confirmed, you will be one of the leading spokespersons in the world. Do you agree?"
Zeldin replied: "I believe climate change is real." He then said Trump's comment was made in the "context of policies enacted because of climate change" and said the President-elect was concerned about the cost.
Sanders also asked if Zeldin would be willing to work with other nations "aggressively" to cut carbon emissions, including China, Europe and Latin America, among others.
"It's very important to be reaching out to other countries to make sure there is pressure on other nations to do their part," Zeldin said. "It's my job to lose sleep at night to make air and water cleaner."
In a statement after Zeldin's nomination, Trump said: "I am pleased to announce that the highly respected former Congressman from New York, Lee Zeldin, will be appointed to serve as the administrator of the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Lee, with a very strong legal background, has been a true fighter for America First policies. He will ensure fair and swift deregulatory decisions that will be enacted in a way to unleash the power of American businesses, while at the same time maintaining the highest environmental standards, including the cleanest air and water on the planet. He will set new standards on environmental review and maintenance that will allow the United States to grow in a healthy and well-structured way."
Trump added that he has "known Lee Zeldin for a long time, and have watched him handle, brilliantly, some extremely difficult and complex situations. I am very proud to have him in the Trump administration, where he will quickly prove to be a great contributor!"
Zeldin wrote on social media at the time: "It is an honor to join President Trump’s Cabinet as EPA Administrator. We will restore U.S. energy dominance, revitalize our auto industry to bring back American jobs, and make the US the global leader of AI. We will do so while protecting access to clean air and water."
Zeldin, who lives in Shirley with his wife and two daughters, represented the 1st Congressional District from 2015 to 2023. He bested former Southampton Town Supervisor Anna Throne-Holst for the seat and later emerged victorious against Dem challenger Nancy Goroff. He later waged an unsuccessful campaign in 2022, hoping to unseat Gov. Kathy Hochul.
According to his bio, at 23, Zeldin was the youngest attorney in New York State at the time, Trump said. He served four years of active duty in the U.S. Army as military intelligence officer, prosecutor, and military magistrate. In 2006, he deployed to Iraq and today still serves in the U.S. Reserve.
Zeldin was elected to the NYS Senate in 2010, where he served until elected to Congress in 2014. During eight years in Congress, Zeldin served on the House foreign affairs committee and the House financial services committee. He co-chaired the House Republican Israel Caucus.Zeldin's platform has long been built on the pillars of foreign policy, border security, military affairs, combating antisemitism, environmental issues, and energy. Locally on Long Island, he has long fought to preserve Plum Island and protect is rich environmental resources — and advocated for veterans.
Zeldin's political ties with Trump have long run deep. In 2022, Zeldin, a Republican received the official endorsement of Trump in his race for the governor's seat against Democratic incumbent Hochul.
Trump's endorsement at the time praised his longtime political ally.
"I have watched and known Congressman Lee Zeldin for many years. He is a great and brilliant lawyer who was a 'must see' for others in Congress when they had a complex legal problem that was holding up legislation. Lee was strong on the Border, Crime, our great Military & Vets (like few others!), and fought hard to protect our 2nd Amendment, and succeeded. Lee Zeldin is a WINNER who GOT THINGS DONE. He will be a GREAT Governor of New York, and has my Complete & Total Endorsement. GOOD LUCK LEE!"
Zeldin has been a staunch Trump supporter on Long Island for years. He was included in the immigration forum Trump held on Long Island that focused on eradicating gang violence. Donald Trump Jr. was a guest at a Zeldin fundraiser, and Zeldin has greeted the president as he landed on the East End for fundraising events.