If confirmed as EPA administrator, Zeldin is expected to implement Trump's America First energy policies after the Biden-Harris administration destroyed American industry, costing jobs across the energy sector, and further decimated the U.S. economy in the wake of the COVID-19 shutdowns.

A preview of Zeldin's opening statements was shared with Townhall ahead of Thursday's confirmation hearing:

The American people made their voices heard in November, giving President Trump a mandate to lead our nation to prosperity. I am grateful that the President-elect is giving me the opportunity to lead the EPA at this critical time.

Our mission is simple, but essential: To protect human health and the environment. We must do everything in our power to harness the greatness of American innovation with the greatness of American conservation and environmental stewardship. We must ensure we are protecting our environment, while also protecting our economy.

The American people elected President Trump last November in part due to serious concerns about upward economic mobility and their struggle to make ends meet. Too many of our fellow Americans are trapped in poverty and desperate for a whole-of-government approach to give them a hand up. We can, and we must, protect our precious environment without suffocating the economy.

A big part of this will require building private sector collaboration to promote common sense, smart regulation that will allow American innovation to continue to lead the world.