President-elect Donald Trump selects former Representative Lee Zeldin (R-NY) to lead the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in his next administration. The choice came as a surprise to many who expected Andrew Wheeler, Trump’s former EPA administrator, to lead the agency again, according to At Washington Examiner. Although not considered an energy and environmental policy enthusiast, Zeldin could bring a fresh perspective to the EPA and narrow the scope of an agency that has become a monster which regularly exceeds its statutory authority.

In June, the Supreme Court struck THE Chevron doctrine. This decades-old precedent has forced courts to defer to an agency’s interpretation of ambiguous laws, allowing agencies to implement broad and excessive regulations. The June decision means that bureaucrats must act within the authority given to them by Congress. In a post-Chevron In a world where any changes to Joe Biden-era regulations must be subject to legal approval, “Zeldin’s governance and legal expertise will ensure a successful tenure at EPA,” Nick Loris, vice president of public policies at C3 Solutions, a free market energy company. think tank, tells Reason.

The Biden administration rule on greenhouse gas power plants will likely be the target of criticism. Finalized this year, this directive requires all coal-fired power plants (except those that will cease operating by 2032) and new natural gas turbines to capture 90% of their greenhouse gas emissions by 2032. The cost of this regulation will significantly exceed the perceived environmental benefits. according to to David Kemp, a policy analyst at the Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank. The Supreme Court has allowed the rule to remain in effect because it is litigated in the lower courts.

EPA’s rulemaking and programs, particularly over the past four years, have rewarded politically favored technologies and special interests. In March, the agency finalized a tailpipe emissions rule whose strict regulations amount to a de facto ban on internal combustion vehicles. Top-down mandate deprives consumer of choice – many factors I don’t want an electric vehicle – and will increase costs, especially for low- and middle-income families.

Meanwhile, the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund passed as part of the Inflation Reduction Act gives the EPA $27 billion to distribute to nonprofits and state governments for environmentally focused projects. This program duplicates other unnecessary federal initiatives and prey to fraud and abuse, according to to the EPA Inspector General.

While Zeldin’s choice could represent a reduction in the EPA’s reach, federal agencies have been playing regulatory ping-pong for more than a decade, which has given more power to the administrative state, created from uncertainty for businesses and increased the size of DC’s lobbying apparatus. All of this “speaks to the need for Congress to step up its efforts rather than cede so much authority to agencies,” according to Loris.

During his tenure in Congress, Zeldin, who earned his juris doctorate from Albany Law School before joining the Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps, served on the Financial Services and Foreign Affairs committees of the House of Representatives. During his time there, the majority of the legislation he sponsored focused on international affairs and the armed forces, but he did it. support the efforts to repeal the EPA’s Renewable Fuel Standard, a program that has increased gas price, distorted food marketsAnd harm the environment.

As a candidate for governor of New York in 2022, before his defeat to current Gov. Kathy Hochul, Zeldin’s energetic message toed the party line kissing an “all of the above” approach that includes natural gas extraction and nuclear power development. New York State has banned fracking, and nuclear power is banned in some areas of the state.

While many EPA executive orders are redundant to the functions of state and local agencies better equipped to protect communities and address environmental challenges, it is high time to reform the agency and returning power to local communities, the private sector and Congress.

In a statement At New York Post, Zeldin said that as EPA administrator, he would “cut red tape that prevents American workers from achieving upward economic mobility.” For the sake of taxpayers and the environment, we hope Zeldin follows through on this commitment.