Trump's EPA Chief Celebrates Climate Denial at Heartland Conference

Apr 10, 2026, 2:21 AM

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Lee Zeldin, the Administrator of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), delivered a keynote speech at the Heartland Institute's 16th International Conference on Climate Change, held in Washington, DC, on Wednesday. The Heartland Institute is a prominent think tank known for its skepticism towards the scientific consensus on climate change and for promoting climate denial narratives.

In his address, Zeldin publicly celebrated the February repeal of the "endangerment finding," a significant policy that served as the foundation for federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions. He declared, "It is a day to celebrate vindication!" and positioned the repeal as a key victory for the Trump administration's agenda, allowing for the elimination of regulations on emissions from vehicles and power plants.

Zeldin's remarks were met with cheers from the audience, which included many scientists and experts skeptical of climate change. He dismissed the warnings issued by climate scientists, stating, "We're getting back to the basics and we're not accepting all of the narrative of the left without any question or pushback." He further attacked the scientific community for what he characterized as alarmist predictions about climate change, asserting that carbon dioxide is "not a pollutant and never was".

Critics quickly condemned Zeldin's speech and the conference itself. Joanna Slaney, vice president of the Environmental Defense Fund, remarked that Zeldin was "executing on the playbook of denial written by the Heartland Institute," arguing that such denialism does not alleviate the real impacts of climate change, which include rising energy costs and health risks for Americans. In a demonstration outside the event, EDF Action displayed posters highlighting the dangers of climate denial, emphasizing that it does not improve lives or reduce the severity of climate-related disasters.

The Heartland Institute's history of climate skepticism includes controversial messaging, such as comparing climate advocates to the Unabomber in past campaigns. Zeldin's participation in this conference aligns with the organization's long-standing efforts to undermine climate science and promote deregulation of environmental protections. The think tank has received funding from major fossil fuel companies, further raising concerns about the influence of corporate interests on climate policy.

In his speech, Zeldin also expressed admiration for the Heartland Institute's advocacy against the endangerment finding, linking his agency's actions to the broader deregulatory agenda of the Trump administration. He has faced criticism for his approach, with over 160 environmental and public health organizations calling for his resignation due to what they see as a betrayal of the EPA's mission to protect public health and the environment.

The conference provided a platform for Zeldin to align with like-minded individuals who share a skeptical view of climate change. Myron Ebell, a former member of Trump’s EPA transition team, praised Zeldin's commitment to the administration's deregulatory agenda, stating that he is "actually an energetic promoter of the President's program".

As the effects of climate change become increasingly evident, including more frequent extreme weather events, the implications of Zeldin's rhetoric and policies could have significant repercussions for environmental policy and public health in the United States. The removal of the endangerment finding has already prompted legal challenges from several states, highlighting the contentious nature of the current climate debate and the political divisions surrounding it.

Zeldin's address at the Heartland Institute underscores the ongoing tension between climate science and political ideology, as well as the challenges faced by those advocating for urgent action to combat climate change. The conference not only celebrated past victories in climate denial but also set the stage for future battles over environmental regulation and public health policies in the Trump era.

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