EPA Administrator Defends Climate Change Reversal at Heartland Institute Conference

Wed Apr 08 2026 18:33:11 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

In a controversial keynote address before a gathering of climate change skeptics, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin asserted the legitimacy of repealing a key climate finding, claiming it marked a 'day to celebrate' for those who contest mainstream environmental science.

During a recent speech at the Heartland Institute, EPA head Lee Zeldin justified the repeal of the 2009 endangerment finding, a backbone of federal climate regulations. He urged attendees to feel vindicated in their long-held skepticism of climate science, sparking significant backlash from environmental advocates who criticized the administration's shift in policy. The repeal is expected to undermine numerous air quality protections and exacerbates ongoing climate challenges.

WASHINGTON (AP) - EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin defended the repeal of a key climate finding, urging climate change skeptics to celebrate their validation at the Heartland Institute conference. Zeldin asserted that the repeal of the 2009 'endangerment finding' reversed years of liberal allegiance to climate alarmism, positioning it as a significant triumph for industry and economic freedom.

Zeldin, formerly a Republican congressman from New York, remarked, 'Today is a day to celebrate. It is a day to celebrate vindication,' reinforcing his agency's shift away from longstanding federal climate policies that have aimed at mitigating planet-warming emissions.

The 2009 finding, which categorized carbon dioxide as a threat to public health and welfare, served as the foundation for numerous climate regulations. Critics argue the repeal dismantles vital protections against greenhouse gas emissions, intensifying concerns over extreme weather events fueled by climate change.

Environmental groups swiftly condemned Zeldin's remarks, describing them as a rallying cry for climate deniers amid escalating global climate risks, including intensified hurricanes and wildfires. Joe Bonfiglio from the Environmental Defense Fund lambasted Zeldin's address as a promotion of misinformation that favors the Heartland Institute's secretive backers.

In defense, an EPA spokeswoman stressed that the agency no longer operates as a venue for radical ideologies, asserting a commitment to uphold its statutory responsibilities grounded in sound science.

The Heartland Institute, recognized for its conservative viewpoint on environmental issues, praised Zeldin's stance, describing him as 'the greatest EPA administrator ever.'

As legal battles loom with over two dozen states challenging the repeal, concerns mount over a potential rollback of greenhouse gas emissions standards for essential sectors including transportation and energy production.