EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin made a stop at The Greater San Antonio Chamber on April 10 to gather feedback from local business leaders and talk about the Trump administration’s efforts to streamline regulations to improve the economy.
Zeldin shared insights on the EPA’s current priorities, including efforts to advance domestic energy production, streamline regulatory frameworks, and support economic growth while maintaining environmental stewardship.
“The first pillar for us to powering the great American comeback is to pursue clean air land and water for all Americans,” said Zeldin. “Cleaner, safer, and healthier land, air and water for all Americans is our core mission of protecting human health in the environment.
“We are focused on making sure that we are following the best available reading of the law. If there’s anything wrong with that, then amend the law, because I will follow whatever you change the law to,” he said.
Zeldin said his agency made changes to the 2024 Clean Air Act that are expected to boost the oil and gas industry’s production and as a result, lower gas prices. These regulatory changes were made prior to the recent run-up in prices caused by the disruption at the Strait of Hormuz after Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps restricted traffic in response to U.S.-Israeli airstrikes.
Zeldin said they carefully examined the regulatory changes prior to implementing them to ensure they wouldn’t have negative environmental ramifications. “We believe that you can protect the environment and grow the economy. It’s not a binary choice. You don’t have to choose between one or the other,” he said.
San Antonio was Zeldin’s only stop in Texas, and the administrator had high praise for the facilities he visited, including Boeing’s operation at Port San Antonio, a regional EPA chemical safety office, and the H2Oaks facility operated by San Antonio Water System (SAWS).
Since taking office, Zeldin has regularly traveled around the country to talk about EPA policy and solicit feedback from Americans. During a news conference at The Greater San Antonio Chamber, he said, “We are better informed, better prepared, when instead of spending time inside an agency building in our nation’s capital, we’re out here with the people, hearing feedback on what’s working and what we could do to make things better.”
Greater San Antonio Chamber President & CEO Jeff Webster praised Zeldin for taking the time out of his busy schedule to talk with San Antonio leaders. “Our members offered insights to Zeldin to inform his decision making and demonstrate our desire to work together. We had a great discussion about the importance of navigating the challenges of meeting the growing need for energy and economic development, while protecting the environment.”
“It was truly an honor to welcome such a high-level national leader to our city and our chamber. Administrator Zeldin understands the real impact that policies and regulations from Washington have on businesses and the importance of considering those impacts to promote economic growth,” Webster said.