Biofuel groups congratulate Zeldin on Senate confirmation as new EPA administrator

The U.S. Senate confirmed Lee Zeldin, President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the U.S. EPA as the agency’s new administrator, in a 56-to-42 bipartisan vote Jan. 29.

Zeldin being sworn into office. (Photo: U.S. EPA)

Zeldin, a former U.S. congressman from New York and Republican gubernatorial candidate who lost in November 2022 to Democrat Kathy Hochul in a tight race, was initially eyed by biofuel groups with skepticism as a possible EPA chief due to his record of opposing the federal Renewable Fuel Standard and E15.

“It is my honor to serve as the 17th EPA administrator,” Zeldin said. “Under President Trump’s leadership, we will take great strides to defend every American’s access to clean air, clean water and clean land. We will maintain and expand the gold standard of environmental stewardship and conservation that President Trump set forth in his first administration while also prioritizing economic prosperity. I look forward to working with the agency’s talented staff and scientists to deliver results for the American people. It’s time to get to work.”

Zeldin has more than 20 years in the U.S. military.

He deployed to Iraq in 2006 with the Army’s Elite 82nd Airborne Division and continues to serve as a lieutenant colonel in the Army Reserve.

Zeldin became an attorney at just 23 years old, the youngest in New York state at the time.

After his approval by the Senate, a number of U.S. biofuel associations extended their congratulations to Zeldin.

“Clean Fuels and its members congratulate Administrator Lee Zeldin and look forward to working with him to get RFS back on track with timely and robust volumes that fully support the growth of the U.S. biomass-based diesel market,” said Kurt Kovarik, the vice president of federal affairs for Clean Fuels Alliance America. “We look forward to meeting with Administrator Zeldin at the earliest possible opportunity to discuss the economic benefits of U.S. biodiesel, renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel production and how essential they are to U.S. farm security and America’s energy independence.”

Michael McAdams, president of the Advanced Biofuels Association, stated, “The Advanced Biofuels Association congratulates Administrator Lee Zeldin on his confirmation to serve as the administrator of the U.S. EPA. We look forward to working with him to unleash American energy independence, starting with our nation’s robust advanced biofuels industry. Advanced biofuels can play an important role in ensuring a diversified, all-of-the-above domestic energy portfolio that insulates U.S. consumers from price hikes created by unreliable international trading partners and keeps costs low for businesses and consumers. Administrator Zeldin and the Trump-Vance administration must pursue practical policies, including revised long-term renewable volume obligations (RVOs), that reflect the strength of our industry and its role in securing American energy dominance.”

Monte Shaw, executive director of the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association, said, “IRFA members congratulate Mr. Zeldin and look forward to working with the EPA under his leadership. Big issues await action. First on the list is ensuring that consumers do not lose access year-round to lower-cost E15. EPA must also move quickly to propose RFS blending levels in line with what Congress intended. We encourage Administrator Zeldin to fully pursue the important role biofuels can play to secure U.S. energy dominance.”

Geoff Cooper, president and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association, added, “We congratulate Lee Zeldin on his confirmation today and look forward to working together to implement President Trump’s vision for unleashing American energy, bolstering economic security, creating jobs and supporting our nation’s farmers. As noted during his Senate confirmation hearing, Mr. Zeldin understands that ethanol and other renewable fuels will play an important role in accomplishing the president’s energy and environmental objectives. We are confident he will support timely and transparent implementation of the RFS, take steps to facilitate expansion of lower-cost fuel blends like E15, and revisit extreme regulations that force automakers to produce costly electric vehicles that are heavily dependent on foreign raw materials. We are eager to collaborate with Administrator Zeldin and his entire team at EPA to empower greater use of more affordable, cleaner-burning, domestically produced liquid fuels.”

Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor said, “Administrator Zeldin has made it clear that he understands how important American-made biofuels are to President Trump’s efforts to unleash American energy dominance. He’s also committed to advancing year-round E15 and ensuring that America’s farmers and biofuel producers have the regulatory certainty under the RFS to plan and invest in rural growth. We thank Administrator Zeldin for agreeing to work alongside Sen. Pete Ricketts and other rural champions on Capitol Hill to deliver a much-needed boost to the farm economy and greater fuel savings for hardworking Americans with homegrown ethanol.”