ICYMI: Administrator Zeldin Travels to Superfund Sites, Disaster Areas Around the Country
WASHINGTON – Last week, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin traveled across the country to Superfund sites, disaster recovery areas, and met with state and local officials. His first stop was to St. Louis, Missouri to visit the West Lake Superfund site, Coldwater Creek site, and to participate in a roundtable hosted by Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO), with local stakeholders. On National Agriculture Day (Ag Day), Administrator Zeldin was with the Missouri Farm Bureau at Stemme Farms to discuss Ag issues.
Following his visit to the Show-me state, Administrator Zeldin was in Arizona for a series of meetings and attended a roundtable with the Arizona Chamber of Commerce. He then met with the Ak-Chin Tribe and concluded his time in Arizona with Governor Hobbs.
Administrator Zeldin then headed to Hawaii to tour the Maui to meet with community leaders, local officials, and EPA staff to survey recovery efforts following the 2023 Maui wildfires. He visited the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility. Later in the day, he met with the Hawaii Department of Health to discuss ways that EPA and Hawaii DOH are continuing to work together to provide clean air, land and water.
Cooperative Federalism is a main pillar of Administrator Zeldin’s Powering the Great American Comeback initiative, and the Administrator remains committed to commonsense reform and improving partnerships with state and local counterparts across the country.
Read more below about Administrator Zeldin’s visit and check out some great local coverage and social media posts.
Local Coverage:
First Alert 4: Farmers speak directly with EPA Admin Zeldin as he visits St. Louis area
By Avery Martinez
“ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) - EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin spoke with a number of Show Me State ag workers Tuesday, where they had a chance to hear directly from the newly appointed leader of the agency about his plans for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and it’s future.
“These same ag folks were able to ask questions about how the EPA may impact farmers in the future, raise concerns about fuel, food security, water impacts and the waters of the United States.
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“Zeldin’s visit follows his visit to multiple irradiated sites in the St. Louis area, alongside Senator Josh Hawley who pledged a visit to the area several months ago.
“Hawley pushed the EPA chief to speed up the cleanup of West Lake Landfill, a Superfund site since 1970.
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“Even before Zeldin was confirmed as the EPA leader, he promised Hawley he’d visit the landfill and see the extent of contamination in the area. Monday morning, at a roundtable discussion, he heard residents speak about high cancer rates and what it was like to live in the shadow of Manhattan Project nuclear waste.
“‘You are here as an example of a community that has been left behind and is in need of help,’ said Zeldin.”
KSDK: Senator Josh Hawley, EPA Administrator visit contaminated sites [VIDEO]
ST. Louis Public Radio: U.S. EPA director promises action to clean up West Lake Landfill radioactive waste
By Jason Rosenbaum
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“Several north St. Louis County residents spent nearly an hour discussing in often gripping detail how radioactive waste exposure sickened them and their loved ones. Zeldin then asked local staffers to prepare in three weeks a timetable about what it would take to clean up West Lake Landfill.
“'What are the resources that are needed? What are the barriers that are in front of us? What are the assumptions that you need to make in order to give us the most ambitious timeline possible?’ Zeldin said. ‘I'm not asking for a long report. I don't want you guys to spend the next three weeks working on this instead of advancing the issues that we're talking about. So informally, something quick — that's just a timeline and assessment from the team as to where we are.’
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“Asked why the St. Louis region would be prioritized when there are many other places in the country with heavily polluted areas, Zeldin said he was particularly moved by residents who shared their stories with him.
“‘Anyone who's been listening in the last hour, this hits different,’ Zeldin said.”
Spectrum News: New EPA head pledges more resources to address St. Louis area radiation contamination
By Gregg Palermo
“BRIDGETON, Mo.—The new head of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is pledging additional resources to the effort to clean up the Superfund site at the West Lake landfill as the St. Louis region continues to grapple with the legacy of nuclear contamination dating back to its involvement with the development of nuclear weapons since World War II.
“Lee Zeldin, who promised Missouri U.S. Senator Josh Hawley he would visit the site if confirmed as EPA administrator, did so on Monday, along with a stop along Coldwater Creek and time spent with advocates for radiation victims.
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“Zeldin said the DOGE recommendations so far have translated into billions of dollars in cuts in a reorganization that he hopes leads to more direct support for communities in need of cleanup.
“‘My goal is that if a dollar that is spent that the dollar is spent on directly remediating the environmental issue. I do not want to see a dollar spent to some group to tell us that we have an issue that needs to get dealt with,' he said, referring to the Biden administration’s financial support of environmental justice organizations.
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“Zeldin tasked a regional EPA administrator with coming up with a brief report over the next three weeks that describes the challenges and resources necessary to act on ‘the most ambitious timeline possible.’”
“That report will be made public, Zeldin said.”
Arizona’s Family: New EPA head meets with Sen. Mark Kelly to help improve Arizona’s air quality
By Jason Barry
[VIDEO]
“PHOENIX (AZFamily) — U.S. Senator Mark Kelly met with new Environmental Protection Agency administrator Lee Zeldin in Phoenix as part of a roundtable discussion Wednesday on the environment and ways to improve air quality in Arizona
“Zeldin said the EPA aims to protect the public but believes it can be done more efficiently.
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“The EPA has been on the front line for years, protecting the public and holding companies accountable when they pollute soil and water resources.
“‘We actually want to put more resources into SuperFund work,’ said Zeldin. ‘It is important that we are fulfilling our statutory obligations exponentially.’”
KVOA: Roundtable in Phoenix tackles EPA rules, Arizona economy concerns
“PHOENIX, Ariz. (KVOA) - Sen. Jake Hoffman has teamed up with the Trump administration to address environmental regulations impacting Arizona's economy. This collaboration aims to reduce what they consider harmful regulations that increase costs for families in the state.
“On Tuesday evening, Hoffman held a roundtable discussion at the Arizona Senate. The meeting included U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin and representatives from various industries, including Arizona Public Service and Honeywell Aerospace. The focus was on policy reforms that could enhance Arizona's economic potential.
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“Administrator Zeldin's visit to Arizona included this roundtable as part of a two-day tour. His meetings with elected officials and industry leaders were aimed at discussing environmental reforms and economic growth.”
KJZZ Phoenix: Pollution, air quality across Arizona discussed as Sen. Kelly welcomes EPA director
By George Headley
“Arizona’s air quality and specifically Maricopa County’s pollution problems were the focus of a discussion between Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly and Environmental Protection Agency Director Lee Zeldin on Wednesday.
“Kelly welcomed Zeldin to Phoenix so he could meet with local industry leaders and officials as the state struggles with air quality, specifically Maricopa County not meeting the ambient air quality standard and statewide planning to dissipate pollution.
“Kelly said emissions have decreased in Maricopa County, while ozone levels are steadily increasing.
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“Zeldin said he will meet with the EPA team to figure out how to accomplish as much as possible to improve air quality in Arizona.
"‘If anything, for any great reason, is going to take a little bit more time, I’m going to want to know why,’ Zeldin said.”
Indian Gaming: EPA Administrator Zeldin Visits Ak-Chin Indian Community
“MARICOPA, AZ – U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin recently met with the Ak-Chin Indian Community, which was his first trip to Indian Country since being sworn into office.
“During his visit, Administrator Zeldin met with Ak-Chin Indian Community Tribal Council Members Dennis Antone, Lisa Garcia and Cecil Peters, as well as Roman Orona, Ak-Chin Indian Community Environmental Manager and EPA National Tribal Caucus Representative, and other members of the community. The Ak-Chin Indian Community engages in farming and agriculture, and the discussion during the meeting focused on water issues and pesticides.
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“‘We appreciate Administrator Zeldin coming to the Ak-Chin Community, and of his willingness to seek the Native environmental perspective,’ said Orona. ‘I look forward to working with Administrator Zeldin and the Trump administration to further tribal participation in the federal government’s partnership in Indian County.’
“Last month, Zeldin addressed the joint Region 8 and Region 9 Tribal Operations Committee meeting to express his commitment to EPA’s continued relationship with federally recognized tribes.”
Press Releases: