Lee Zeldin, Trump’s E.P.A. Nominee, Is Short on Environmental Experience

Former New York congressman Lee Zeldin, president-elect Donald J. Trump’s pick to run the Environmental Protection Agency, told senators on Thursday that he would “enthusiastically uphold” the agency’s mission to protect human health and the environment and that he grasped the basic science of climate change.

Mr. Zeldin’s tone was markedly different from that of Mr. Trump, who has repeatedly called global warming a “hoax” and said he would “kill” major environmental regulations, particularly those aimed at fighting climate change.

People close to the Trump transition have also recommended ousting E.P.A. career staff, eliminating its scientific advisers, and closing an office that helps minority communities that disproportionately struggle with polluted air and water.

The nomination of Mr. Zeldin, 44, who ran unsuccessfully for governor of New York in 2022, baffled many, since he has little background in environmental regulation. Appearing before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, Mr. Zeldin struggled to answer specific questions from some lawmakers about various environmental issues, telling them he was eager to learn about them.

Mr. Zeldin pointed to his years representing his Long Island district, which includes miles of coastline and has a bipartisan tradition of environmental conservation, as evidence of his environmental stewardship. He also was a member of the House Bipartisan Climate Caucus and voted in favor of a 2016 chemical safety law.

In his opening statement to the committee, Mr. Zeldin said, “I strongly believe we have a moral responsibility to be good stewards of our environment for generations to come. It’s been so motivating to see the tremendous talent stepping up to serve at the E.P.A. I couldn’t be more excited to partner with our E.P.A. team nationwide, to exceptionally serve the American public.”

He also said, “I will foster a collaborative culture within the agency, supporting career staff who have dedicated themselves to this mission.”

But as a congressman, he voted against the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, the biggest climate law ever passed by Congress, and he is a loyal Trump supporter who voted against certifying the results of the 2020 election.

Over the course of his political career, Mr. Zeldin received more than $270,000 in campaign contributions from the oil and gas industry, according to OpenSecrets, which tracks campaign finances.

In recent years, Mr. Zeldin opened a consulting business. He served on the board of America First Works and had ties to its sister organization, America First Policy Institute, conservative groups that have worked with the Trump transition on plans to roll back climate regulations and promote fossil fuels. The head of America First Policy Institute, Brooke Rollins, Mr. Trump’s nominee to head the Agriculture Department, is the former head of the Texas Public Policy Foundation, a pro-fossil fuel group that has funded the spread of misinformation about climate change.

“Being so surrounded by corporate and fossil fuel influence, how is it that you’ll be able to separate yourself from these interests when they come demanding things that they’ve ‘earned’ politically?” asked Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, Democrat of Rhode Island.

Mr. Zeldin said he would not be swayed by past connections or donors.

“There is no person who has every provided any level of support to me who has any special influence with me,” Mr. Zeldin replied. “There is no dollar large or small that can influence the decision that I make. “

When Mr. Whitehouse grilled the nominee on the basic science of climate change, Mr. Zeldin waffled at first.

“What is the effect of carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel combustion?” Mr. Whitehouse asked Mr. Zeldin, referring to the chief cause of the global warming that is dangerously heating the planet.

“While I am someone who believes strongly that science and policymakers should work together, I think we have many talented scientists who provide that research,” Mr. Zeldin replied.

But when Mr. Whitehouse pressed, Mr. Zeldin eventually responded accurately: “Trapping heat, sir,” adding “Greenhouse gases trap heat.”

Mr. Trump has repeatedly said he would erase President Biden’s signature climate regulations, including a strict limit on tailpipe pollution that is designed to cut greenhouse gases by compelling automakers to increase sales of hybrid and all-electric vehicles. The American Petroleum Institute, which lobbies on behalf large oil companies, put the rollback of the auto pollution rule at the top of a wish list it delivered to Mr. Trump.

But when Senator Pete Ricketts, Republican of Nebraska, and Senator Edward J. Markey, Democrat of Massachusetts, pressed Mr. Zeldin on whether he planned to undo that rule, he declined to answer.

“I am not allowed to prejudge the outcomes going into rule-making,” he said. “I don’t sit before you with any type of commitment that I am going to make on any type of rule that will change if I am confirmed.”

Still, Republicans from fossil fuel producing states seemed confident that they had an ally in Mr. Zeldin. He was introduced at the hearing by Senator John Barrasso, Republican of Wyoming, where coal and oil are important to the economy. Mr. Barrasso is also a longstanding opponent of policies to reduce the use of fossil fuels.

“In the past four years, E.P.A. has pushed policies to kill jobs in Wyoming and raise costs for thousands across the nation,” Mr. Barrasso said, adding that Mr. Zeldin would “balance environmental protection and pragmatic public policy.”

Senator Shelley Moore Capito, Republican of West Virginia and the committee chair, told Mr. Zeldin that she had deep concerns about E.P.A. limits on emissions from smokestacks that are so stringent, they could force coal-fired power plants to close.

Those closures could lead to unacceptable “spiking energy costs and rolling blackouts,” she said.

“I have confidence that the E.P.A. under Congressman Zeldin’s leadership, will focus on the E.P.A.’s core mission to protect human health and the environment, while acknowledging the critical role the agency plays in our economy and international leadership,” she said.

At the end of the hearing, she told him, “I expect your confirmation will be very positive.”

Senator Angela Alsobrooks, Democrat of Maryland, asked Mr. Zeldin whether the Trump administration plans to move the E.P.A. headquarters out of the Washington region.

“No one has expressed to me in any setting since I was announced as nominee or before that any plans with regards to moving E.P.A. headquarters outside of D.C.,” he replied. “I’m not aware of any.”

Lisa Friedman contributed reporting.