EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin Addresses Conference on Repeal of 2009 Endangerment Finding

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin delivered a keynote address on Wednesday at a conference hosted by the Heartland Institute, a conservative think tank based in Illinois. During the speech, Zeldin defended the agency's decision to repeal the 2009 endangerment finding, which had served as the legal basis for federal regulations on greenhouse gas emissions from power plants, vehicles, and other sources.

The repeal occurred earlier this year under the Trump administration.

Zeldin told attendees that the repeal reversed adherence to prior policies on climate change. He stated that the 2009 finding had been the central basis for regulating planet-warming emissions for 16 years. The Trump administration argued that the finding affected industry and the economy and claimed that previous administrations had used it to regulate greenhouse gases as a public health risk.

The Heartland Institute describes itself as a free-market think tank and states that one of its goals is to challenge the narrative of a climate crisis driven by fossil fuel burning. The organization does not disclose its full list of funders but has received support from oil and gas interests. James Taylor, the institute's president, described Zeldin's speech positively.

Zeldin, a former Republican congressman from New York, is under consideration for the position of attorney general following Pam Bondi's departure last week. His appearance at the conference reflects changes in EPA policies under the Trump administration, including the rollback of dozens of air and water protections.

The agency has stated that it does not have legal authority to regulate climate change.

Environmental groups criticized Zeldin's participation. S. director of the Environmental Defense Fund, said the speech promoted disinformation and served the interests of the Heartland Institute's donors.

An EPA spokeswoman responded to the criticism, stating that the agency now focuses on statutory obligations to protect human health and the environment using established science. She noted that Zeldin speaks to a variety of groups to promote the EPA's agenda. The spokeswoman added that the agency rejects prior uses of models to influence public compliance.