Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin continued his nationwide tour of businesses, and to advocate for President Donald Trump’s “one big, beautiful bill,” with a stop in Milwaukee.
Zeldin toured Komatsu Mining Corp.’s Harbor District campus, 401 E. Greenfield Ave., on June 26.
Local media outlets weren’t allowed on the tour. But Zeldin spoke to journalists during his visit.
“We saw a lot of equipment that’s top of the line and it’s very exciting to see what the future will hold,” Zeldin said. “Also a very impressive focus on the environment, as far as the presentation and desire to make sure that as a company Komatsu is a good steward of the environment.”
Komatsu says it’s working toward carbon neutrality by 2050.
Zeldin said if the bill is passed it would increase the ability to mine “critical minerals” used in technology and energy.
“President Trump believes in unleashing energy dominance, unleashing energy with our own resources, which is better for our economy, better for national security, better for our environment,” Zeldin said.
Company officials declined to comment directly on the federal legislation.
Bill opponents include environmental groups, Johnson
Environmental groups have criticized the legislation. The League of Conservation Voters said it would eliminate thousands of clean energy jobs and weaken protections against pollution.
“This legislation rolls back vital funding and investments made for healthy clean air, safe clean water, and environmental health programs that work well and are strongly supported by people across red, blue and purple states,” said Howard Learner, executive director and CEO of the Chicago-based Environmental Law & Policy Center.
“People will be truly angry when they see the real-world impacts of these misguided Trump and Congressional actions, the resulting damages to our Great Lakes and harms to public health, and the job loss and economic costs from stalling sensible solar energy and wind power development,” Learner said.
The bill is a massive piece of legislation that adjusts taxes and government spending on several sectors and industries across the country.
The legislation passed the House and is currently being reviewed in the Senate. Zeldin said the bill is in “the home stretch.”
Wisconsin Republican Sen. Ron Johnson has been opposed to the bill despite discussions with Trump.
“I can’t accept a one-and-done bill that leaves our deficits in excess of $1.9 trillion as far as the eye can see,” Johnson said on NewsNation after his meeting with Trump on June 23.
“Until we address that or I see a believable strategy to address additional deficit reduction in the future, it’s pretty difficult for me to vote ‘yes’ and accept this as the new normal,” Johnson said.
Zeldin said he hasn’t spoken to Johnson about the legislation.
“I know there’s plenty of conversations going on with the senator and his colleagues have a very important voice as they are able to work with each other as they’re able to get questions answered,” Zeldin said.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: EPA Administrator Zeldin tours Milwaukee’s Komatsu campus, pushes for ‘one big, beautiful bill’
Reporting by Ricardo Torres, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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