In a bold and decisive statement on Fox Business, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin declared that the Green New Deal is not just struggling – it’s over. “At the Trump EPA, the Green New Scam is done and over,” Zeldin told host Stuart Varney. His remarks came during a wide-ranging interview focused on environmental policy, energy infrastructure, and the Trump administration’s approach to deregulation. Zeldin didn’t hold back, calling past spending on green initiatives “wasted money” and promising an aggressive rollback of Biden-era policies.
Congress Takes Aim at Green Subsidies
Zeldin began by noting that Congress is already acting. He explained that congressional Republicans are moving to dismantle many of the green energy tax subsidies and incentives championed during the Biden presidency. “Congress is doing its part with one big beautiful bill,” he said. Zeldin emphasized that the American people are asking whether these subsidies should go on forever, and he says the answer is a firm no. According to him, many Americans are frustrated by the enormous amounts of money flowing into technologies that aren’t yet reliable.
Baseload Power, Not Windmills
Zeldin made it clear that the Trump EPA believes energy policy must prioritize baseload power – that is, energy sources like coal, natural gas, and nuclear that can run 24/7. He criticized Democrats and green energy advocates for pretending intermittent sources like wind could replace that capacity. “There is a massive need for baseload power,” Zeldin said. He warned that treating wind or solar as a substitute for reliable energy would weaken the grid and hurt consumers.
Zeldin: The Green New Deal Was Always a “Scam”
When asked by Stuart Varney if the Green New Deal was “dying,” Zeldin didn’t hesitate. “It’s done. It’s dead. It’s over,” he said. In his words, the Trump administration inherited a mess filled with bad policies, taxpayer waste, and government payouts to activist NGOs. “There will be zero tolerance for any waste or abuse,” he added. The EPA under Trump, Zeldin said, is committed to a philosophy that you can protect the environment and grow the economy. “We don’t have to choose between the two,” he said.
Trump’s Support for Zeldin’s Energy Vision
President Donald Trump has been vocal in praising Zeldin’s work. In a clip aired during the Fox Business segment, Trump explained how he wants to fast-track new energy infrastructure and create an entirely new power grid for AI-driven facilities. “It’s a national emergency,” Trump said. “I want to approve everything – and you’ll have your approval in two weeks.” Trump credited Zeldin directly: “Lee Zeldin is doing an amazing job,” he said.
Cutting Red Tape, Not Waiting on Congress
One of the most notable moments in the interview came when Zeldin discussed how the EPA is fast-tracking projects without waiting for new legislation. “In many respects, we just needed to get out of the way,” Zeldin said. He accused the Biden-era EPA of intentionally “gumming up the works” to slow down domestic energy development. In contrast, Trump’s mandate is to “tear through the red tape,” encouraging investment and job creation without delay.
Rolling Back Biden’s Energy Restrictions
Zeldin also revealed that the Trump administration is in the process of reviewing and potentially repealing regulations enacted during the Biden years, particularly those from 2023 and 2024. He said those rules were “trying to suffocate entire industries” by targeting baseload power sources. “They were putting companies all over the map out of business,” Zeldin said. He called this approach the opposite of what Americans voted for when they elected Trump back to office.
Political Will Meets Practical Energy Needs
What’s striking about Zeldin’s remarks is how confidently he frames the Trump administration’s environmental plan – not as anti-environment, but as pro-reality. His focus on baseload power and infrastructure is a sharp contrast to the aspirational tone of the Green New Deal. Whether you agree with him or not, Zeldin is addressing the core issue: energy reliability. In a world demanding more electricity for AI, EVs, and data centers, the idea of betting everything on intermittent sources may not be practical. It’s a debate worth having.
A Record of Fast-Tracking Progress
Zeldin stressed that in just one year, the Trump EPA has cut more regulations than most entire federal agencies do over an entire presidency. He framed this as part of Trump’s broader promise to boost American energy independence and economic growth. “This is the Trump mandate,” Zeldin said. “Protect the environment and grow the economy.” That’s not just a soundbite – it’s the core belief behind their rollback strategy.
Zeldin’s Message to Investors: We Want You Here
In an effort to encourage domestic development, Zeldin mentioned how companies were previously discouraged from investing billions in the U.S. due to regulatory bottlenecks. Now, with streamlined approval timelines and a friendlier regulatory environment, Zeldin hopes those companies return. “President Trump talks to people and companies who want to invest billions of dollars in America,” he said. “But they won’t do it if it takes too long to get a permit.”
Public Sentiment Shifting Away from Green Ideology
The shift away from Green New Deal-style policies reflects what Zeldin described as growing public dissatisfaction. He suggested that most Americans are more concerned with affordability and reliability than abstract climate goals. “People care about how much money is being wasted,” he said. This framing – economic realism over environmental idealism – is likely to remain a central talking point as the 2026 midterms approach.
A New Chapter for the EPA
Zeldin’s interview wasn’t just a status update – it was a mission statement. Under the Trump administration, the EPA is clearly heading in a very different direction. Out are climate alarmism, green subsidies, and regulatory overload. In are fast approvals, baseload power, and a focus on practicality. Whether you view this as progress or regression likely depends on your politics, but one thing’s for sure: the Biden-era green agenda is no longer setting the tone. As Zeldin put it bluntly, “It’s dead. It’s over.”
Gary’s love for adventure and preparedness stems from his background as a former Army medic. Having served in remote locations around the world, he knows the importance of being ready for any situation, whether in the wilderness or urban environments. Gary’s practical medical expertise blends with his passion for outdoor survival, making him an expert in both emergency medical care and rugged, off-the-grid living. He writes to equip readers with the skills needed to stay safe and resilient in any scenario.