EPA Administrator Zeldin Meets with Business Leaders in Dallas, Tours Oil Rig with Senator Cruz in Midland
WASHINGTON – This week, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin traveled to Texas to attend a roundtable hosted by the Texas Association of Business with industry leaders and visit the Permian Basin with U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX).
“When I was going through my confirmation process, I made a commitment to Senator Cruz that I would travel down to Midland, tour an oil rig, and reaffirm my support to achieve energy dominance,” said EPA Administrator Zeldin. “The oil and gas industry and its hard-working employees help power our nation and we must do more to produce right here in America to compete on the world stage. The Trump EPA does not believe in regulating this industry out of existence. Instead, we want to partner with leaders to keep producing American energy using the cleanest and safest practices on the planet.”
“The Biden administration waged war against oil and gas jobs, especially in Texas,” said Senator Cruz. “President Trump and the new Republican Congress are committed to returning America to a position of energy dominance, and I fully expect and will work to ensure that Texas leads the way. I'm proud to continue championing the oil and gas industry here in the Lone Star State.”
“I had the unique privilege of visiting the Permian Basin twice this week, and today with Administrator Zeldin. I’m even more impressed with the enormous opportunities in the basin—for jobs, for unprecedented and innovative oil and gas production, and for communities to grow and thrive,” said Region 6 Administrator Scott Mason. “It’s clear that Midland and other cities want to have both a strong economy and clean air, water, and land, and that’s why we need common-sense regulations.”
The roundtable discussion focused on how the private sector and EPA can work together across sectors to Power the Great American Comeback. With Senator Cruz, they toured Permian Deep Rock Oil Company’s Midland oil project. Following the tour, Administrator Zeldin attended a roundtable with independent oil producers focused on the actions EPA can take to help revitalize the oil and gas industry in Texas. They concluded the day by holding a press conference with local media.
Earlier this year, Administrator Zeldin was appointed to President Trump’s National Energy Dominance Council. This visit underscores EPA’s commitment to unleashing American energy while being good stewards of our environment. It also aligns with the second and third pillar of Administrator Zeldin’s Powering the Great American Comeback initiative: Restoring American Energy Dominance; and Permitting Reform, Cooperative Federalism, and Cross-Agency Partnership.