POLITICO Energy Inside EPA’s regulatory reset with administrator Lee Zeldin
Mar 27, 2026
Lee Zeldin, former congressman and current EPA administrator steering a deregulatory, National Energy Dominance agenda. He discusses attending major energy forums, U.S. energy diplomacy in the Indo-Pacific, risks around the Strait of Hormuz, legal moves to roll back greenhouse gas authority, and plans for chemical safety and the Make America Healthy Again initiative.
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Indo-Pacific Nations Pivot Toward U.S. Energy
- Global buyers are shifting toward U.S. energy supplies because U.S. shipments are faster and perceived as more secure.
- Lee Zeldin cited Tokyo talks and the Japan example: 28 days from Middle East vs 8 days from Alaska, driving $56B+ deals and diversification.
Military Service Shapes Zeldin's View On Iran
- Zeldin referenced his military service and personal loss to explain his perspective on Iran and the IRGC's role in past U.S. military casualties.
- He tied that history to why Iran policy resonated with voters in 2015–2016 and shaped his stance.
Price Spikes Won't Shift EPA's Long Term Energy View
- Short-term oil and gas price spikes don't change EPA's long-term deregulatory posture; Zeldin points to sustained demand for U.S. supply.
- He argued U.S. extraction is comparatively cleaner and that exports improve national security and jobs.