EPA Says Celebrate American Independence by Advancing Energy Dominance While Bashing NY State

July 8, 2025

Contact Information

EPA Press Office (press@epa.gov)

WASHINGTON – In the wake of July 4th, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin reflected on America's fight for independence nearly 250 years ago and recognized the push towards energy dominance to power the next 250 years. Under President Trump’s leadership, this administration is taking action to unleash domestic energy, ensuring our nation is no longer reliant on foreign adversaries to power the American way of life, strengthening our independence for generations to come just as the Founding Fathers intended.

Specifically, the Administrator discusses how the previous administration abandoned reliable baseload power, driving up costs and weakening grid stability. He cites New York as a cautionary tale, where state officials have pursued radical climate policies that waste taxpayer dollars on ineffective environmental interventions, while leaving the power grid vulnerable and driving up electricity rates. Administrator Zeldin reaffirms his commitment to streamline the permitting process for critical energy projects. Through American energy dominance we will Power the Great American Comeback while ensuring the cleanest air, land and water of any nation in the world.

Read what Administrator Zeldin had to say: 

“The fight for American independence 250 years ago was driven by self-determination. Now, the push toward American energy dominance is powering our future.  

“Wood energy fueled the American Revolution and the first 100 years of our fledgling republic until our self-sufficient patriots invented a way to harness the power of U.S. coal, which fueled the Industrial Revolution.  

“The Trump Environmental Protection Agency is now paving the way for a Golden Age of Energy Dominance.   

“America evolved from horse-drawn carriages, wood-burning stoves, and candlelight to a global industrial success powered by coal, petroleum, natural gas, nuclear, and hydropower.   

“The previous administration irresponsibly abandoned American baseload power and any support to produce and deliver it for the good of all Americans. President Donald Trump is course-correcting.  

“What’s happening in my home state of New York is sadly coming to a state near you if we  don’t work together to secure more baseload American energy and infrastructure. Misguided state policies to phase out baseload power sources such as coal, natural gas, and nuclear are driving up electricity prices while making the grid vulnerable.  

“A New York grid operator has said it does not have sufficient backup power generation needed to deploy reliable, affordable electricity during heat waves or extremely cold winters when people demand more electricity for heating and air conditioning. So, the grid goes down. It’s that simple.    

“In New York, lawmakers decided to eliminate reliable, affordable baseload power generation by 2040 in favor of unreliable, intermittent renewable energy.  

“New York’s hydraulic fracturing ban has cost residents thousands of dollars annually in higher natural gas and electricity prices. Meanwhile, state officials continue pursuing radical climate policies that waste taxpayer dollars on ineffective environmental interventions, leaving the power grid vulnerable while further driving up electricity rates.  

“For grid stability, renewables should not be jammed through as attempted replacements for fossil fuels. Common sense dictates that they should be viewed as no more than possible supplements.   

"One by one, New York has and will continue to force reliable baseload power plants to retire as people pay the price. New York residents are paying among the highest in the country for electricity. California, which rivals New York on electricity prices and matches the state on climate goals, has seen its electricity rates rise to 30 cents/kilowatt hour, a 58% increase.  

"Meanwhile, New York and California are among several states suing the EPA to stop policies that would ensure all Americans have reliable, affordable 24/7 electricity to power and heat their homes and maintain their modern way of life.  

"Maryland is another one of those states. Residents already pay a high 15 cents/kilowatt hour, and now the state is setting up a $19 billion energy relief fund to help residents afford rising electricity prices instead of simply allowing U.S. energy production and delivery to thrive in the state, which would naturally bring prices down.  

"Maryland is among 12 states with rates that are double or, in some cases, triple the rate most people pay for electricity because climate activists have mounted campaigns to thwart American energy production and delivery, and the state has acted upon it.

"That has left states such as Maryland, New York, California, and others without adequate power generation and distribution infrastructure needed to light and power homes, appliances, schools, and hospitals. The states have also erected hurdles to transport energy resources to power plants. 

"The entire country may see a 30% shortfall in capacity by 2032 unless significant changes are made to policy and infrastructure.  

"From day one, Trump has moved decisively to unleash American energy and lower costs for hardworking families. His first executive order, “Unleashing American Energy,” deployed the Cabinet to tear down regulatory barriers to American energy development, production, and delivery. 

"Last month, the EPA proposed to repeal targeted emissions standards under the Clean Air Act and eliminate unlawful power sector regulations devised under the Biden-Harris Clean Power Plan 2.0. This will save people money on their electricity bills and ensure the lights stay on when families need power most. 

"EPA is also working to streamline the permitting process for critical energy projects.

As we approach our nation’s 250th anniversary, Trump is securing America’s energy future in a modern-day version of how our Founding Fathers secured our freedom. Through American energy dominance, we’re not just powering homes and businesses. We’re Powering the Great American Comeback."