By Kaia Hubbard | CBS News
April 20, 2025 | 1:52 PM EDT
Washington, D.C. — Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin appeared on Face the Nation this Sunday, confidently assuring Americans that the Trump administration's sweeping deregulatory agenda will not lead to negative health or environmental consequences.
“I can absolutely guarantee that these regulatory rollbacks will not put the health of the American people at risk,” Zeldin told host Margaret Brennan, emphasizing the administration’s belief that economic growth and environmental protection can — and must — go hand in hand.
A Controversial Reversal of Environmental Standards
The comments come in the wake of a March announcement in which Zeldin outlined the reconsideration or reversal of 31 environmental regulations, a move President Trump called “the most momentous day in EPA history.” These changes primarily target existing rules governing:
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Coal-fired power plants, specifically the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS)
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Oil and gas wastewater disposal regulations
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Greenhouse gas emissions limits for new and existing energy infrastructure
Critics have expressed concern that loosening restrictions — particularly those designed to limit hazardous air pollutants — could exacerbate respiratory issues, harm ecosystems, and disproportionately affect vulnerable communities.
Zeldin, however, dismissed these concerns, insisting that the deregulatory push is supported by “updated scientific modeling and cost-benefit analyses.” According to the administrator, the agency will continue to enforce baseline environmental protections while removing what he described as “duplicative, outdated, and overly burdensome” regulations.
Balancing Economy and Environment
“We have to both protect the environment and grow the economy,” Zeldin said. “This administration is focused on energy independence, supporting job creators, and allowing innovation to thrive without being stifled by unnecessary red tape.”
Zeldin, a former Congressman from New York and vocal Trump ally, assumed leadership of the EPA in early 2025 as part of President Trump’s renewed second-term strategy to prioritize American energy dominance. Since taking office, the administration has taken aim at environmental rules enacted during the Biden administration, particularly those aimed at climate change mitigation.
Environmental Groups Raise Red Flags
Environmental advocates and public health experts were quick to push back against Zeldin’s assurances. In a joint statement, the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and the American Lung Association warned that loosening regulations on toxic emissions from coal plants could result in increased exposure to mercury, lead, and arsenic, particularly in lower-income communities and communities of color.
“Administrator Zeldin’s blanket assurance ignores decades of peer-reviewed research and the very real impact that deregulation can have on human health,” said Dr. Linda Thompson, an environmental health policy expert at Johns Hopkins University. “Even with advanced technology, allowing more toxins into our air and water cannot be justified.”
A Defining Moment for the EPA
Zeldin’s tenure is shaping up to be a defining chapter for the EPA, with sharp political and ideological contrasts driving the agency’s current direction. While the administration frames the moves as a necessary rollback of overreach, opponents argue that public health and environmental safeguards are being sacrificed for short-term economic gain.
Asked whether he would revisit any of the changes if new evidence showed negative effects, Zeldin responded: “Of course. We are committed to transparent, data-driven policy. But right now, the data tells us that these rules are overly broad and economically destructive.”
What’s Next?
The EPA’s regulatory changes are expected to face a number of legal challenges, with several environmental organizations already filing lawsuits in federal court. Meanwhile, Democratic lawmakers are calling for congressional oversight hearings, citing potential risks to public health, air quality, and climate resilience.
As the Trump administration continues to reshape federal policy around fossil fuel development and deregulation, the future of environmental protection in the U.S. remains one of the most hotly contested issues in Washington.