Administrator Lee Zeldin Visits with Energy Producers, Farmers in Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma – On Friday, May 29, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin traveled to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, for several events focused on the Trump Administration’s energy agenda and efforts to support American farmers.
On Friday night, Administrator Zeldin addressed the National Stripper Well Association where he discussed Trump Administration efforts to unleash energy dominance and slash red tape while protecting the environment. The Administrator was presented the “Industry Leader of the Year” award and was joined by U.S. Senator James Lankford.
On Saturday, May 30, Administrator Zeldin participated in a roundtable with the Oklahoma Farm Bureau and dozens of member farmers in Mulhall, Oklahoma. Along with EPA Region 6 Administrator Scott Mason, U.S. Senator Alan Armstrong, and U.S. Congressman Frank Lucas (OK-06), Administrator Zeldin outlined Trump EPA action to provide much-needed relief from faulty Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) systems. In a post on X following the event, Administrator Zeldin said:
“A tractor shutting down during harvest because of a faulty Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) system has long been a devastating reality for too many farmers across America, but is now becoming a problem of the past as a result of Trump EPA actions this past year. Visited this weekend with the Oklahoma Farm Bureau and many of their amazing member farmers.”
On March 27, President Trump and Administrator Zeldin announced on the White House South Lawn new guidance to remove DEF sensor requirements that will save Americans billions of dollars annually and countless hours of lost time and productivity.
This latest move is part of a series of Trump EPA actions to provide much needed relief on this issue. Last August, while at the Iowa State Fair, Administrator Zeldin announced new guidance urging engine and equipment manufacturers to revise DEF system software to prevent sudden shutdowns and deratements, while giving operators more time to repair faults without impacting productivity or safety. On February 3, 2026, EPA demanded critical data on DEF system failures from the manufacturers that account for over 80 percent of all products used in DEF systems. In addition, the Trump EPA issued guidance in February restoring farmers’ Right to Repair their own equipment, allowing them to spend more time in the field and less money at the repair shop.
In the near future, EPA will also be issuing a new deregulatory proposal that will completely remove all DEF deratements for new vehicles and engines. With these changes, sudden speed losses, which compromise safety and productivity, will be an issue of the past.
Administrator Zeldin has held similar roundtables in many states across the U.S. to solicit direct feedback about how the Trump EPA can continue to support farmers nationwide.