President-elect Donald Trump has named former New York Representative Lee Zeldin to lead the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and while Zeldin’s appointment raises significant concerns about the future of U.S. environmental policy, his focus seems firmly fixed on artificial intelligence (AI). In a recent post on social media platform X, Zeldin outlined his vision for the U.S. as “the AI capital of the world,” signaling his intention to harness AI to drive economic growth. However, his comments also suggest that advancing AI technology could come at the expense of stringent environmental protections.
The EPA, responsible for regulating pollutants that harm air quality and contribute to climate change, is poised to play a critical role in balancing the rise of energy-intensive technologies like AI with the need to limit emissions. But Zeldin’s stance on deregulation and his emphasis on fostering business development, particularly AI-related ventures, indicate that he may prioritize economic growth over environmental safeguards.
Environmental Concerns as AI Grows
Zeldin’s appointment has already sparked concern among environmental advocates, especially as the energy demands of AI are expected to soar in the coming years. As AI technologies, including data centers required to train and operate AI systems, continue to proliferate, their energy consumption is set to rise sharply. Goldman Sachs predicts that demand for power by data centers could increase by 160% by 2030. While American tech giants like Google and Microsoft are significant consumers of renewable energy, the growing energy needs of AI tools could exacerbate pollution levels, particularly if the country’s grid continues to rely heavily on fossil fuels for electricity.
Currently, 60% of U.S. electricity is generated from fossil fuels, a factor that has made data centers and their increasing energy appetite a hot-button issue for environmentalists. Although many tech companies have committed to purchasing renewable energy and exploring alternative solutions like nuclear power, the continued growth of AI-related technologies presents a potential conflict with efforts to reduce carbon emissions.
Zeldin’s Deregulatory Agenda
Zeldin’s comments and past record suggest that he may favor a deregulatory approach to addressing these concerns. Trump’s administration has a history of rolling back environmental protections, and there are indications that Zeldin could continue this trend. During a podcast interview with Joe Rogan, Trump himself criticized environmental impact assessments, which he claimed can delay construction projects by years, pointing to the increased costs associated with environmentally-friendly practices.
As a congressman, Zeldin supported policies that aligned with Trump’s pro-business, anti-regulation agenda. He voted to cut the EPA’s budget by 25% in 2017, a move that would have slashed thousands of jobs at the agency. Zeldin’s voting record on environmental issues reflects a strong alignment with the fossil fuel industry, having accepted over $269,000 in donations from the oil and gas sector and $1.5 million from real estate developers. These ties have made him a controversial figure among environmental groups, who view his policies as harmful to the planet.
“Zeldin is solidly aligned with Trump’s disastrous anti-science, pro-polluter agenda,” said Seth Gladstone, director of communications at Food & Water Watch. “We know from his voting record and his history that he will continue to push policies that harm the environment and public health.”
Deregulation and the Future of the EPA
While Zeldin’s stance may please pro-business advocates, environmental groups remain cautious. Some are hoping that Zeldin, who has previously worked with conservationists on certain issues, may not go as far as the most extreme proposals outlined in Project 2025, a conservative roadmap that aims to dismantle key EPA functions. However, Zeldin’s past vote to drastically reduce the agency’s budget and his connections to industries that contribute to pollution leave many doubtful about his ability to protect the public’s health and the environment.
Julie Tighe, president of the New York League of Conservation Voters, expressed cautious optimism, pointing to Zeldin’s opposition to offshore drilling during Trump’s first term as a sign of potential for collaboration on specific issues. However, with the growing threat of deregulation on the horizon, advocates are preparing for an uphill battle in preserving protections for clean air and water.
AI’s Growing Impact on Power Demand
The relationship between AI development and environmental regulation is complex. As AI data centers proliferate, they consume significant amounts of electricity, leading to concerns about the increased use of fossil fuels. While companies like Google and Microsoft have committed to renewable energy, their growing carbon footprints due to AI development are undeniable. This raises the stakes for regulatory decisions that may either curtail emissions or allow polluting industries to expand unchecked.
Trump’s first administration already weakened key environmental regulations, including power plant emission standards, which were replaced with looser rules that would have resulted in thousands of additional deaths and worsened air quality, particularly for vulnerable communities suffering from asthma. Now, with Zeldin at the helm of the EPA, many worry that these rollbacks could be expanded, putting public health and the environment at even greater risk.
Looking forward to getting straight to work as part of President Trump's Cabinet to unleash US energy dominance, make America the AI capital of the world, bring American auto jobs back home, and so much more. pic.twitter.com/zGGLIRMrd6
— Lee Zeldin (@leezeldin) November 12, 2024
Looking Ahead: What’s at Stake
With Trump poised to return to office and Zeldin set to lead the EPA, it seems clear that the next administration will prioritize economic growth and technological advancement, potentially at the expense of stringent environmental protections. Whether Zeldin can balance the demands of AI growth with the EPA’s mission to protect the environment remains to be seen, but many are preparing for a period of intense regulatory rollback and clashes with environmental advocates.
Jeremy Symons, a former EPA climate adviser, summed up the situation: “We know Trump’s plans for the EPA have always been to cripple it, and now his pick for EPA head is tasked with continuing that legacy. The question is whether Zeldin can recognize the public’s broad and bipartisan support for the EPA’s work to safeguard clean air and water.”
As AI continues to reshape industries and drive demand for energy, the role of the EPA in managing these changes will be more crucial than ever. The question remains whether Zeldin’s leadership will steer the agency toward sustainable innovation or prioritize short-term business interests at the cost of long-term environmental stability.