In an unprecedented move, Lee Zeldin, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), has launched what is being described as the most comprehensive deregulatory effort in the history of the United States.
According to Breitbart, these regulatory reversals are specifically designed to rejuvenate the coal sector and lower expenses associated with living and doing business.
Speaking on the Breitbart News Saturday radio show with Matt Boyle, Zeldin shared insights into the agency’s plans which include dismissing pivotal initiatives established during President Joe Biden’s administration. These include the Environmental Justice and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs.
"It is not a binary choice to either protect the environment or grow the economy," the EPA administrator assured listeners, emphasizing a balanced approach. Zeldin's vision revolves around significant cuts to regulatory measures he believes are hampering economic growth and causing unnecessary financial strain.
This announcement outlines a total of 31 deregulatory actions aimed at various sectors, each expected to contribute positively to job creation, especially within the American automotive industry. These changes also promise to make heating homes, acquiring vehicles, and business operations more cost-effective.
The former New York congressman and now EPA leader stresses that these deregulations are part of President Donald Trump's broader economic strategy. This strategy purportedly strikes a delicate balance between economic advancement and environmental stewardship. Zeldin adds that the administration is not only fixing regulatory overreach but also targeting the perceived inefficiencies within the previous government's focus on climate-related projects.
Zeldin conveyed a commitment to reintroduce "common sense" into federal government functioning, arguing that such reform is long overdue. "A lot of Americans struggling to make ends meet want common sense back into the federal government, and we’re going to do our part at the EPA," he mentioned during the interview.
He also revealed plans to address the backlog of cases that deal with air cleanliness standards, indicating a proactive approach towards environmental health amidst deregulatory measures.
Lee Zeldin explained the approach by stating:
"I’ve been told that we’re going after the holy grail of the climate change religion, and I would just say this: that we can protect the environment and grow the economy. It’s not a binary choice. The Trump administration chooses both."
Further, the administrator underscored the potential savings from cutting down 400 DEI and EJ grants through the EPA and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), aiming to recover approximately $20 billion allegedly misspent on climate initiatives under the Biden administration. These funds, according to Zeldin, will be redirected toward more pressing needs.
In a direct shift from recent federal policies, Zeldin announced the removal of the Biden administration's mandate on electric vehicles (EVs), marking a clear return to traditional energy sources like coal, which Trump has famously described as "clean and beautiful."
The impact of these deregulatory actions on the environment and economy will likely be debated extensively, with Zeldin leading the charge in an effort that he believes will save the coal industry and simultaneously reduce the cost of living for the average American.
In conclusion, as Administrator Lee Zeldin rolls out these extensive changes, which include the largest set of deregulatory actions in U.S. history, the intended effects are clear: bolstering the coal industry, enhancing job creation, particularly in the automotive sector, and reducing the cost of living through lessened regulatory burdens. This strategic pivot is framed as a dual-edged sword, aiming to enhance economic performance while still considering environmental impacts, and seeking to restore a sense of pragmatism within federal operations.
