Ahead of today’s committee vote on the confirmation of Lee Zeldin to serve as EPA Administrator for the Trump administration, the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) sent the following letter to members of the Senate.
…
January 22, 2025
U.S. Senate
Washington, DC 20515
Re: Oppose Lee Zeldin’s Nomination to serve as EPA Administrator
Dear Senator:
The League of Conservation Voters (LCV) believes that everyone has a right to clean air, clean water, public lands, and a safe climate protected by a just and equitable democracy. Each year, LCV publishes the National Environmental Scorecard, which details the voting records of members of Congress on environmental legislation. The Scorecard is distributed to LCV members, concerned voters nationwide, and the media.
We urge you to oppose the nomination of Lee Zeldin to be the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Mr. Zeldin’s abysmal 14% lifetime score on LCV’s National Environmental Scorecard, long history in Congress and the NY state legislature opposing environmental and public health safeguards for our communities, and little environmental experience render him unqualified for the role.
Mr. Zeldin has a lengthy voting record and many public statements that raise troubling questions about what he will prioritize, and no experience that prepares him to lead the nation’s foremost agency tasked with protecting public health and the environment. Not only did Zeldin vote against the Inflation Reduction Act — the largest investment in affordable clean energy and climate action ever — and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which directed billions of dollars to EPA to remove all lead drinking water pipes, he also voted against improving clean air standards that save tens of thousands of lives. Further, he opposed carbon pollution limits for power plants and appropriations to extend the national flood insurance program, critical tools in the fight against climate change to mitigate its severity and make homeowners more resilient to its impacts, respectively. Since being tapped as a nominee, he said “Day one and the first 100 days, we have the opportunity to roll back regulations.”(CNN) His votes and statements are oppositional to the mission of EPA.
Lee Zeldin has made every indication he will lead on President Trump’s anti-climate action, anti-environment agenda that will harm our communities. His evasive answers to questions on the science of climate change and the clear responsibility of EPA to reduce climate pollution that is endangering communities across the country, from North Carolina to California and Florida to Alaska, further makes clear that he will prioritize weakening health and safety regulations as favors for President Trump’s ultra wealthy friends instead of protecting frontline communities who are impacted by air and water pollution and the fossil-fueled climate crisis.
For all these reasons, LCV urges you to oppose the nomination of Lee Zeldin to be Administrator of EPA. LCV will strongly consider including this vote in our 2025 National Environmental Scorecard. If you would like more information, please reach out to a member of our government relations team.
Sincerely,
Gene Karpinski
President