Ricketts After Meeting with Lee Zeldin: “I’m Excited to Have A Change of Leadership at the EPA”
December 4, 2024
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE), a member of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, reacted to his meeting with former Congressman Lee Zeldin, President-Elect Trump’s nominee for Administrator of the Environment Protection Agency (EPA). Ricketts was encouraged by Zeldin’s plans to roll back the burdensome regulations of the Biden-Harris administration, provide transparency and certainty, and respect Nebraska priorities. Ricketts made the comments while on a conference call with Nebraska media.
“The Biden-Harris EPA’s delusional and expensive regulations caused prices to rise for families and businesses,” Ricketts said. “They wasted millions of taxpayer dollars with grants to far-left, partisan organizations. They issued mandates that limited choice and hindered American innovation. They stonewalled Senators and kept important information from the American people. That’s just wrong.”
“Today, I met with former Congressman Lee Zeldin, President-Elect Trump’s nominee to lead the EPA,”Ricketts continued. “We discussed several issues critical to Nebraska and our country. I’m excited to have a change of leadership at the Environmental Protection Agency. Lee and I discussed the need for an EPA that provides relief, not regulation.”
“Former Congressman Lee Zeldin has a strong record of public service,” Ricketts closed. “I’m hopeful he will lead the EPA in a way that respects Nebraska’s priorities. I look forward to working with him to advance these policies that will benefit Nebraska and all Americans.”
TRANSCRIPT:
Senator Ricketts: “The Biden-Harris EPA’s delusional and expensive regulations caused prices to rise for families and businesses.
“They wasted millions of taxpayer dollars with grants to far-left, partisan organizations.
“They issued mandates that limited choice and hindered American innovation.
“They stonewalled Senators and kept important information from the American people.
“That’s just wrong.
“Today, I met with former Congressman Lee Zeldin, President-Elect Trump’s nominee to lead the EPA.
“We discussed several issues critical to Nebraska and our country.
“I’m excited to have a change of leadership at the Environmental Protection Agency.
“Lee and I discussed the need for an EPA that provides relief, not regulation.
“The EPA’s role is to protect our environment without placing unnecessary roadblocks in the way of hardworking Americans.
“I know Lee Zeldin understands how the EPA’s overreach has hurt farmers and businesses.
“I was encouraged to hear his plans for rolling back these burdensome regulations and supporting innovation and economic growth.
“Another issue we discussed was the need for an EPA that unleashes American energy, instead of attacking it.
“We need to end regulations like the Clean Power Plan that undermine our energy security and economic growth.
“We need to streamline permitting processes to save consumers money, support American workers, and boost our economy.
“I’m confident that Lee Zeldin will be a good partner in this effort.
“We also discussed the need for an EPA that respects proven solutions like Nebraska biofuels.
“Biofuels like ethanol save consumers money at the pump, help clean up our environment, and support our farmers and ranchers.
“I emphasized the importance of strengthening the Renewable Fuel Standard.
“I encouraged him to ensure that Renewable Volume Obligations are set at levels that reflect the full capacity and potential of the renewable fuels industry.
“This is critical for our nation’s energy security.
“Former Congressman Lee Zeldin has a strong record of public service.
“I’m hopeful he will lead the EPA in a way that respects Nebraska’s priorities.
“I look forward to working with him to advance these policies that will benefit Nebraska and all Americans.”