Labor Day Reflections on Progress and Environmental Efforts
Labor Day stands as a tribute to the hard work of Americans striving to support their families, enhance communities, and strengthen the economy, both at home and beyond.
This day also highlights President Trump’s vision that has, for over 250 years, aimed to put America first, along with the efforts of countless EPA employees—first responders and coordinators across ten U.S. regions—working tirelessly in challenging conditions to ensure clean air, land, and water for all.
In just the first 200 days of recent efforts, the EPA has documented 200 actions aimed at improving both the environment and public health.
Recently, the EPA successfully enacted an international agreement that ends decades of pollution caused by untreated sewage from Mexico contaminating American waterways. This has brought relief to residents plagued by foul odors and pollution, allowing them to breathe easier.
The agency’s largest wildfire cleanup initiative has mobilized dedicated staff nationwide following the wildfires in Los Angeles. In what was a record-setting effort, the EPA finished a Phase 1 hazardous materials cleanup within just 28 days, addressing 13,612 residential properties, 305 commercial properties, and removing over 1,000 electric vehicles and energy storage systems.
The EPA focuses on safeguarding our air, land, and water while ensuring the safety of American workers, all contributing to a robust economy. Success stories abound, rippling through various industries across the nation.
In addition, we’ve led training sessions for state inspectors under the Federal Pesticide, Fungicide, and Production Patients Act (FIFRA), equipping them with the skills needed to uphold testing standards.
Our lead reduction programs offer a solid framework for lead risk assessment and testing. Currently, about 175,000 individuals are certified to adhere to lead safety practices during renovations of homes and child care facilities built before 1978.
Prioritizing America and its workforce is key.
One of our legal mandates includes cleaning hazardous waste and addressing superfund sites on sacred tribal lands.
In just six months, we’ve fully addressed several sites on the SuperFund National Priority List and initiated redevelopment at 21 locations across 13 states.
We’ve successfully completed site cleanups in Hillsboro, New Hampshire, and Stratford, Connecticut, and assisted the U.S. Navy in removing 20,000 cubic yards of polluted soil at a superfund site in Newport, Rhode Island.
During the early days of the Trump administration, we launched the Navajo Super Fund Vocational Training Initiative Project, creating career opportunities within the EPA Repair Team at the Lukachuca Mountains Mining District Super Fund Site.
This initiative provides valuable training that merges classroom learning with hands-on technical skills for environmental restoration and cleanup. Participants gain essential abilities, from problem-solving to money management and interpersonal skills.
We’ve also created jobs through the Brownfields vocational training program, recently announcing around $14 million in grants to support these efforts.
In the U.S., about 450,000 properties contain brownfields with hazardous materials or pollutants. Our training programs help individuals learn how to assess and prepare contaminated sites for reuse, paving the way for stable, long-term careers in the environmental field.
It’s possible to protect the environment while fostering economic growth—our Super Fund Vocational Training Initiative and Brownfields Program are key to achieving this balance.
President Trump has committed to showcasing U.S. production, renegotiating trade deals to uplift the workforce, and striving to position America as a leader in AI and energy control.
Our journey is guided by these commitments. We will persist in removing bureaucratic hurdles, lowering regulatory burdens, and continuously safeguarding the environment and the health of the American populace.
Lee Zeldin serves as the Environmental Protection Agency administrator during the Trump administration and is a former member of Congress representing a New York district.
