Podcast Summary: "American Energy Dominance: 1 on 1 w EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin" The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson – April 18, 2025

Introduction

In the April 18, 2025 episode of The 47 Morning Update, host Ben Ferguson engages in a compelling discussion with Senator Ted Cruz and the newly appointed Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator, Lee Zeldin. The episode, titled "American Energy Dominance: 1 on 1 w EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin," delves into the interplay between energy production, regulatory reforms, and environmental stewardship under the current administration.

Senator Ted Cruz's Syndicated Radio Show 'Verdict'

The episode kicks off with exciting news about Senator Ted Cruz's syndicated radio show, Verdict. As highlighted by Ben Ferguson:

[00:31] Ben Ferguson: "You're making history, Senator, as from what I know, you are the first sitting member of Congress to ever have a syndicated radio show."

Senator Cruz shares his enthusiasm about reaching a broader audience:

[00:57] Senator Ted Cruz: "Thanks to our incredible listeners, we have about a million unique listeners that listen regularly to this show."

Introduction of EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin

Senator Cruz introduces Lee Zeldin, emphasizing his extensive background:

[02:50] Senator Ted Cruz: "Lee is a veteran. He spent 22 years in active duty in the reserves. He was a member of Congress for eight years from the great state of New York."

Cruz praises Zeldin's leadership qualities and his unexpected yet impactful role as the first EPA Administrator to visit the Permian Basin in Midland, Texas.

Tour of Oil Rigs in Midland, Texas

A significant portion of the discussion revolves around Senator Cruz and Lee Zeldin's tour of active oil rigs in Midland, Texas. They explore the economic benefits to the local community, where residents receive royalty checks from energy production on their property.

[04:17] Senator Ted Cruz: "Why? ... they get every week mailbox money coming in because a mile or two miles down this well is producing oil and producing natural gas."

Zeldin underscores the long-term economic benefits:

[05:33] Lee Zeldin: "And the check ends up coming for many decades, like 40 years."

Critique of the Biden EPA's Waste and Cronyism

A critical segment of the conversation addresses the previous administration's handling of the EPA, highlighting significant financial mismanagement and favoritism.

[08:23] Lee Zeldin: "EPA's annual budget is about $10 billion. So far I've canceled $22 billion worth of grants."

Zeldin discusses the improper allocation of funds under the Biden EPA, including exorbitant grants to organizations like Stacey Abrams' NGO.

[09:14] Senator Ted Cruz: "They went from $100 to $2 billion."

Efforts to Reform and Clean Up EPA Under Zeldin

Administrator Zeldin elaborates on the measures taken to rectify past mismanagement:

[11:04] Senator Ted Cruz: "That was us fulfilling a commitment to figure out, go find the gold bars. A commitment to bringing those gold bars back into the treasury on behalf of the American taxpayer."

Zeldin emphasizes the return of taxpayer money and the elimination of cronyism:

[14:37] Lee Zeldin: "What belongs to the taxpayers. And if you're going to spend the money on protecting the environment, it needs to go directly towards remediating an environmental issue, period."

EPA's Role in Addressing Environmental Issues

Wildfires in California

The EPA's proactive role in disaster response is highlighted through their efficient cleanup of the California wildfires:

[27:08] Lee Zeldin: "We got it done in less than 30 days. After ramping up to 1500 workers. Proud of the effort from EPA."

East Palestine Train Derailment

Zeldin discusses the EPA's involvement in the East Palestine derailment cleanup, stressing the importance of swift and effective action.

[29:25] Senator Ted Cruz: "Where is this agency? It should be."

Tijuana Sewage Cleanup

Addressing cross-border environmental issues, Zeldin outlines plans to tackle raw sewage contamination from Tijuana:

[30:46] Senator Ted Cruz: "Tell us what you're doing in Tijuana."

[30:48] Lee Zeldin: "We're going to Tijuana in the coming days. I can't wait to get there."

The Functioning of the Trump Cabinet

Zeldin provides insights into the collaborative and efficient nature of President Trump's cabinet meetings:

[21:16] Lee Zeldin: "President Trump has tried something different. He has a cabinet where everyone gets along with each other. There's great chemistry."

Senator Cruz adds humor while praising the administration's responsiveness:

[23:22] Senator Ted Cruz: "Donald Trump, in three months of his second term, has already answered more press questions at Cabinet meetings than Joe Biden did in four years as president."

Future Plans and Energy Dominance

The discussion culminates with Zeldin outlining the EPA's ambitious plans for deregulation and fostering energy dominance:

[26:53] Lee Zeldin: "There never has been a presidential administration or a year in the past where the entire federal government did more deregulation than the EPA will do in 2025."

Zeldin emphasizes the balance between environmental protection and economic growth:

[18:06] Lee Zeldin: "We believe that we can both protect the environment and grow the economy. This isn't a binary choice."

Notable Quotes

• Senator Ted Cruz on EPA Leadership:

  [02:50] "Lee should have been the governor of New York. It would have been much better for the entire state of New York if Lee had been the governor."

• Lee Zeldin on EPA Reforms:

  [08:23] "EPA's annual budget is about $10 billion. So far I've canceled $22 billion worth of grants."

• Senator Ted Cruz on Regulatory Overreach:

  [19:34] "The EPA has been the most dangerous and destructive regulator in the entire country under radical Democrats."

• Lee Zeldin on EPA's Mission:

  [18:06] "The core mission of EPA is protecting human health and the environment."

• Senator Ted Cruz on Cabinet Efficiency:

  [23:22] "Donald Trump ... has already answered more press questions at Cabinet meetings than Joe Biden did in four years as president."

Conclusion

The episode of The 47 Morning Update offers an in-depth look into the transformative changes within the EPA under Administrator Lee Zeldin. Through candid conversations with Senator Ted Cruz, listeners gain insights into the strides being made towards American Energy Dominance, regulatory reforms, and restoring fiscal responsibility within environmental governance. The collaborative spirit of the Trump administration's cabinet and the proactive measures taken by the EPA signal a robust approach to balancing economic growth with environmental sustainability.

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