Podcast Title: The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show
Episode: The Tudor Dixon Podcast: Uncovering Waste, Fraud, & Abuse with EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin
Release Date: February 26, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of The Tudor Dixon Podcast, host Tudor Dixon engages in a candid and in-depth conversation with Lee Zeldin, the Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The discussion centers around the aggressive efforts to root out waste, fraud, and abuse within the EPA, highlighting significant mismanagement and the reforms Zeldin is spearheading to ensure taxpayer dollars are utilized effectively.

Lee Zeldin’s Initial Actions as EPA Administrator

Focus on Flint Water Crisis

Zeldin begins by discussing his prompt response to the Flint water crisis, emphasizing the progress made in improving infrastructure and restoring water quality. He states:

"This is a moment for celebration. This is a moment of great progress and the water quality is amazing right now."
(03:03)

He underscores the federal EPA's continued long-term engagement in Flint, dispelling fears that the administration would neglect "blue areas."

Addressing Waste, Fraud, and Abuse in EPA Funding

Uncovering Financial Mismanagement

Dixon steers the conversation toward the rampant waste within the EPA, particularly focusing on mishandled funds and questionable grant allocations. Zeldin provides a detailed account of financial irregularities, including the discovery of $20 billion parked at a bank outside of government due to restrictive financial agreements:

"We found $20 billion parked at a bank just outside of government... there was a financial agent agreement with treasury that was tying EPA's hands behind its back."
(04:51)

He reveals that these funds were part of last-minute efforts to divert billions before Inauguration Day, highlighting systemic issues within the agency:

"There was an account control agreement with EPA where EPA was voluntarily tying its hands behind its back."
(04:51)

Case Study: Stacey Abrams' NGO

Zeldin exposes the dubious allocation of $2 billion to Stacey Abrams' newly formed NGO, which previously received only $100 in 2023. He criticizes the unrealistic grant agreement requirements:

"On page seven, it gives them 90 days to complete a training called how to develop a budget. If you need to complete training on how to develop a budget, you should be completing that training before you're spending the first dollar."
(07:35)

Dixon echoes these concerns, questioning the rationale behind entrusting such a massive sum to an inexperienced organization:

"Stacey Abrams was then given her organization was given $2 billion to spend in 21 days. 2 billion to spend in 21 days... Clearly not experienced in spending tens of thousands of dollars, billions of dollars."
(08:14)

Climate Justice Alliance and Other Misallocations

The conversation further delves into the allocation of $50 million to the Climate Justice Alliance, which advocates linking climate justice with geopolitical issues like a "free Palestine." Zeldin argues that funds intended for environmental remediation are being diverted to politically charged agendas:

"Instead of spending the dollar on actually remediating the environmental issue in that community, we are instead sending tens of millions of dollars to some group that says that climate justice goes through a free Palestine."
(09:07)

He also cites the failure of the Clean School Bus program, where a Canadian EV school bus company received $160 million upfront but subsequently declared bankruptcy without delivering $95 million worth of buses:

"They received some partial payments along the way, then, okay, we can negotiate. But the idea of giving $160 million upfront, what happens if they declare bankruptcy and they still haven't delivered."
(10:40)

Reforms and Future Strategies

Implementing Accountability Measures

Zeldin outlines the reforms being implemented to prevent future financial mismanagement. He specifically mentions halting the practice of distributing grant funds upfront without performance-based ties:

"We're not going to be providing these grant funds upfront. That's one of the reforms that we have."
(20:32)

He emphasizes the importance of performance-based funding and stricter oversight to ensure that grants are used appropriately and effectively:

"It's important. That is directly tied to performance and also the way that these funds are overseen."
(15:36)

Eliminating Pass-Through Funding

Zeldin criticizes the existing pass-through funding mechanism, where large sums are funneled through a few primary recipients without sufficient oversight, allowing for potential misuse and conflicts of interest:

"Money going outside the government and going through pass-throughs to go through other pass-throughs to eventually get to a grantee. And in this case, once the money went through those eight primary recipients, EPA wasn't even a party to the account control agreement."
(15:36)

Impact on the American Public

Safeguarding Taxpayer Dollars

Dixon highlights the significance of Zeldin's efforts in protecting taxpayer dollars from misallocation, emphasizing the public's growing concern over governmental waste:

"Politicians are acting like this is play money, but this is our money."
(21:09)

Zeldin reassures listeners that the new measures will ensure more accountability and that the EPA will prioritize stewarding funds responsibly:

"I'm someone who believes that when money is given out, it should be tied to performance."
(10:40)

Conclusion

The episode wraps up with a reaffirmation of the commitment to financial accountability within the EPA. Zeldin and Dixon express mutual appreciation for the dedication to safeguarding public funds and ensuring that environmental initiatives are both effective and free from political bias.

"This practice ends now. This is a new day. We're not going to be providing these grant funds upfront."
(20:32)

Zeldin concludes with a promise to maintain strict oversight and reform practices to prevent future abuse, ensuring that the EPA fulfills its mission of protecting the environment efficiently and responsibly.

Takeaways

• Immediate Reforms: The EPA is implementing significant changes to prevent waste, fraud, and abuse, particularly in grant allocations.
• Accountability: Emphasis on performance-based funding and eliminating upfront payments to ensure funds are used as intended.
• Oversight Enhancement: Strengthening financial controls and oversight mechanisms to safeguard taxpayer dollars.
• Public Assurance: Commitment to transparency and responsible management to regain public trust and effectively address environmental issues.

Notable Quotes:

• "This is a moment for celebration. This is a moment of great progress and the water quality is amazing right now."
  — Lee Zeldin (03:03)

• "We found $20 billion parked at a bank just outside of government... there was a financial agent agreement with treasury that was tying EPA's hands behind its back."
  — Lee Zeldin (04:51)

• "Stacey Abrams was then given her organization was given $2 billion to spend in 21 days... clearly not experienced in spending tens of thousands of dollars, billions of dollars."
  — Tudor Dixon (08:14)

• "Instead of spending the dollar on actually remediating the environmental issue in that community, we are instead sending tens of millions of dollars to some group that says that climate justice goes through a free Palestine."
  — Lee Zeldin (09:07)

• "We're not going to be providing these grant funds upfront. That's one of the reforms that we have."
  — Lee Zeldin (20:32)

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the critical points discussed in the episode, providing listeners with a clear understanding of the challenges within the EPA and the proactive measures being taken to address them.