Washington, D.C. – U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin has announced a comprehensive series of regulatory rollbacks, signaling a significant shift in federal environmental policy. This move, which Zeldin has described as the "greatest day of deregulation" in U.S. history, is strongly supported by Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), who views it as a victory for American workers and the energy sector.
Senator Lummis articulated her support on social media, stating: > "The era of weaponizing environmental policy against American workers is over. @POTUS & @epaleezeldin chose prosperity & common sense over the climate cult's radical agenda. Wyoming energy is a vital resource, not an emission to be regulated out of existence by DC bureaucrats." This tweet underscores a broader political alignment aimed at prioritizing economic growth and energy independence.
Lee Zeldin, sworn in as the 17th EPA Administrator on January 29, 2025, has outlined plans to unwind more than two dozen environmental protections. These targeted regulations include limits on soot from smokestacks, restrictions on mercury emissions, and emissions standards for vehicles and power plants. A key focus of the administration is also to reconsider the EPA's 2009 "endangerment finding," which legally underpins many climate regulations by declaring greenhouse gases a threat to public health.
The administration's rationale behind these actions is to reduce costs for American families and industries, unleash domestic energy production, and revitalize the auto sector. Zeldin stated that the EPA will "drive a dagger straight into the heart of the climate change religion" to achieve these economic objectives. Critics, however, warn that such rollbacks could lead to increased air and water pollution and jeopardize public health.
Senator Lummis has consistently advocated for Wyoming's energy industry, emphasizing the state's role as a major net energy exporter. She has championed policies that support traditional energy sources like coal, oil, and natural gas, while also promoting technologies such as carbon capture to enhance environmental performance. Her stance reflects a common sentiment in energy-producing states that federal environmental regulations have historically hindered economic prosperity.
The announced deregulatory actions are expected to face legal challenges from environmental groups and some state governments. Despite potential legal battles, the EPA under Administrator Zeldin, with the backing of key congressional figures like Senator Lummis, appears committed to a path of significant environmental policy reform aimed at fostering economic growth and energy dominance.