This episode explores the changes under President Trump's administration at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), focusing on the actions and perspectives of EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin. Against the backdrop of the EPA's creation in 1970 and its core mission to protect human health and the environment, the interview delves into Zeldin's deregulatory actions, including the rollback of climate regulations. More significantly, Zeldin argues that environmental protection and economic growth are not mutually exclusive, emphasizing the need to avoid regulations that harm the economy, particularly impacting those who can least afford it. The discussion pivots to the Supreme Court's Loper Bright decision, which limits agencies' regulatory power, and its implications for the EPA's actions. For instance, Zeldin highlights the reconsideration of the 2009 endangerment finding regarding greenhouse gases, emphasizing the need to consider scientific advancements and emission reductions since then. Ultimately, the interview reveals a tension between the EPA's mission and the administration's focus on economic growth, with Zeldin emphasizing the importance of adhering to existing laws and avoiding overreach in regulation. This highlights the ongoing debate surrounding environmental regulations and their economic impact.
