You've probably heard the name Lee Zeldin buzzing around the news lately, especially if you follow the chaotic intersection of environmental policy and MAGA politics. When Donald Trump tapped the former Long Island congressman to lead the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the internet basically exploded. People immediately started linking him to Project 2025, that massive, 900-page conservative blueprint from the Heritage Foundation that everyone was talking about during the election.
But here’s the thing. If you actually look at the facts of how the Trump administration is operating in 2025 and 2026, the relationship between Zeldin and that blueprint is... well, it's complicated. Honestly, it’s not as simple as him just reading from a script.
The "Frontman" for the Blueprint?
By March 2025, major outlets like POLITICO were already labeling Zeldin the "frontman" for Project 2025 at the EPA. It’s easy to see why. Within his first 60 days, Zeldin launched what he called a "deregulatory blitz." He didn't just tweak a few rules; he went after the big ones. We’re talking about water pollution, air quality, and those planet-warming emissions that have been the focus of the agency for a decade.
One of the biggest moves was his announcement that the EPA would reconsider the 2009 Endangerment Finding. For the non-policy nerds, that’s basically the legal foundation that allows the government to regulate greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act. Project 2025 explicitly called for this.
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So, did he write it? No.
In fact, an EPA spokesperson famously stated in early 2025 that Zeldin hadn't even read Project 2025. Whether you believe that or not, it's a fascinating bit of political theater. Even if he didn't read the PDF, his actions—like eliminating the agency's environmental justice wing and freezing grants—aligned perfectly with the "Mandate for Leadership" goals.
The Five Pillars of the "Great American Comeback"
Instead of using the Project 2025 branding (which Trump tried to distance himself from during the campaign), Zeldin rolled out his own initiative: "Powering the Great American Comeback." It's got five pillars. It’s very "business-forward."
- Clean Air, Land, and Water: This sounds standard, but the focus shifted heavily toward the Superfund program and cleaning up sites like East Palestine, Ohio, which was Zeldin's first official site visit.
- Energy Dominance: Basically, let’s drill. He’s been pushing to cut energy costs by slashing regulations on oil and gas.
- Permitting Reform: This is the big one for businesses. Zeldin wants to end "years-long" processes for new projects.
- The AI Capital: This is a weird one for the EPA, right? But Zeldin argues that the U.S. needs to lead in Artificial Intelligence, which requires massive data centers. His goal is to ensure those centers can be powered by "American-made energy" without being bogged down by red tape.
- Bringing Back Auto Jobs: This translates to killing the "EV mandate" and making sure gas-powered cars stay on the road.
Why the Critics Are Screaming
Environmental groups like Earthjustice and the League of Conservation Voters have been losing it. And they have data to back up their concerns. Preliminary estimates for 2025 showed that U.S. greenhouse gas emissions actually increased by 2.4%. That’s a massive pivot from the years of decreases we saw previously.
Critics point out that while Zeldin talks about "clean air and water," his 14% lifetime environmental score from his time in Congress tells a different story. He’s a politician who knows how to message. Unlike some of Trump's first-term appointees who were combative from day one, Zeldin is polished. He doesn't look like a "sledgehammer," even if he's using one on the regulations.
The Real-World Impact in 2026
Fast forward to right now, January 2026. The EPA has just proposed new limits on the Clean Water Act, specifically targeting Section 401. This move is designed to stop states and tribes from blocking major pipelines. If you live in a state like New York or Washington that likes to block energy projects, this hits home.
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It’s exactly what the conservative authors of Project 2025 wanted. They argued that the EPA had been "weaponized" against American industry. Zeldin's response? He’s "un-weaponizing" it by refocusing on economic growth.
What Most People Miss
The most interesting part of the Lee Zeldin Project 2025 connection isn't the policy—it's the people. While Trump and Zeldin may distance themselves from the document, they’ve hired the people who wrote it. For example, Scott Mason IV, who advised the author of the EPA chapter in the blueprint, was appointed as a Regional Administrator.
It’s a "soft implementation." You don't have to carry the book around if you have the authors in the building.
What This Means for You
If you're a business owner, the "Zeldin Era" means things are getting faster. Permits that used to take three years might now take eighteen months. But if you’re concerned about climate change, the 2025 data is a gut punch. The decoupling of economic growth and emissions has officially stalled.
Actionable Steps for Navigating This Shift:
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- Monitor State vs. Federal Law: Since the federal EPA is pulling back, many "blue" states are ramping up their own environmental enforcement. Don't assume a federal rollback means you're in the clear if you operate in California or New York.
- Watch the "Endangerment Finding" Litigation: This is the "big kahuna." If Zeldin successfully repeals or narrows this 2009 finding, the legal landscape for the next decade will be permanently altered.
- Energy Planning: With the focus on "Energy Dominance," expect more support for natural gas and nuclear. If you’re in the renewable space, the tax credit landscape changed significantly with the 2025 budget reconciliation bill. Adjust your 2026-2027 projections accordingly.
The reality is that Lee Zeldin is doing exactly what he was hired to do: dismantle the "regulatory state" and replace it with a pro-industry framework. Whether you call that Project 2025 or the "Great American Comeback," the results are the same. It's a fundamental shift in how the U.S. handles the environment.