Lee Zeldin, head of the Environmental Protection Agency, delivered the opening address Wednesday at a conference hosted by the Heartland Institute, a think tank known for its aggressive rejection of climate science.
Speaking in Washington, Zeldin dismissed established climate research as built on "bad, flawed assumptions" and vowed to pivot toward what he called "accurate, present-day facts."
The Heartland Institute has long positioned itself as a contrarian voice in climate debates. The group drew widespread criticism in 2012 when it ran billboard advertisements equating climate advocates with the Unabomber, a move that sparked public outcry and prompted the removal of the campaign.
Zeldin's appearance signals the Trump administration's direction on environmental policy and climate science. His rhetoric echoed broader skepticism toward the scientific consensus on human-caused climate change that has characterized the administration's approach to the EPA.
The choice of venue itself carries symbolic weight. By keynoting at an event hosted by a group explicitly skeptical of mainstream climate science, Zeldin sent a clear message about which voices and frameworks will shape EPA priorities.
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