President-elect Donald J. Trump’s nominee to head the Environmental Protection Agency, former New York Rep. Lee Zeldin, told senators on Tuesday that he would “passionately defend” the agency’s mission to protect human health and the environment, and Mastered basic scientific knowledge.
But in back-and-forth discussions with Sen. Edward J. Markey, D-Mass., Zeldin would not commit to aggressively regulating greenhouse gases in smokestacks and tailpipes as the agency has done under President Joe Biden. Carbon emissions from transportation and power plants are major drivers of global warming.
Instead, during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, Zeldin repeatedly said the agency’s mission is to ensure “clean air and clean water” but did not list climate action as a core responsibility.
Mr. Zeldin’s tone was markedly different from that of the future president, who has called climate change a hoax and vowed to “repeal” many of the EPA’s key regulations, especially those related to climate change. People close to the Trump transition have also suggested laying off career staff at the EPA, eliminating its science advisers and closing an office that helps minority communities, which are particularly struggling with air and water pollution.
Zeldin, 44, ran unsuccessfully for New York governor in 2022, and his nomination confused many because he has little background in environmental regulation.
He struggled to answer detailed questions from Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., about chemical recycling. “I look forward to the opportunity to read what you quoted,” Mr. Zeldin said.
Still, Zeldin and his allies point to his years representing a Long Island district with miles of coastline and a tradition of bipartisan environmental protection. He voted against certification of the 2020 election results, and friends say he has a long and loyal tie to the president-elect.
In his opening statement to the committee, Mr. Zeldin said: “I firmly believe that we have a moral responsibility to be good stewards of the environment for future generations. It is so inspiring to see outstanding people joining the EPA service. I am very It’s a pleasure to work with our nationwide EPA team to provide exceptional service to the American public.
He also said: “I will foster a culture of collaboration within the agency and support career employees who are committed to this mission.”
When Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, a Rhode Island Democrat and one of the loudest voices for climate action on Capitol Hill, grilled the nominee about the basic science of climate change, Mr. Zeldin was initially incoherent. But finally gave the correct answer.
“What is the impact of carbon dioxide emissions from the burning of fossil fuels?” Mr Whitehouse asked Mr Zeldin.
At first, Mr. Zeldin tried to avoid the question. “While I firmly believe that science and policymakers should collaborate, I think we have a lot of talented scientists providing this research,” he said.
But when pressed by Mr. Whitehouse, Mr. Zeldin responded accurately: “Absorb heat, sir,” adding “Greenhouse gases absorb heat.”
Mr. Zeldin said he would support the agency’s career employees, in contrast to the approach of Scott Pruitt, the first EPA administrator during Mr. Trump’s first term, who dismissed the agency as The agency’s career employees, viewed as opponents, publicly denied the scientific validity of this point. Staff turnover and weakened enforcement of environmental rules.
Lisa Friedman Contributed reporting.
