U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito, Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, led a hearing on Apr. 29 to review the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2027. During the session, Capito questioned EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin about efforts to reverse recent power sector regulations, address per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination, and manage funding related to greenhouse gas reduction and clean water in rural areas.
The topics discussed at the hearing reflect national debates over energy reliability, environmental regulation, and federal spending. The committee oversees legislation with broad effects on environmental quality and infrastructure across the United States according to the official website of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.
Capito asked Zeldin about repealing what she described as an "attack with many rules seeking to strangulate coal out of existence," referring specifically to policies from the previous administration. Zeldin said: “What we saw, especially toward the end of the Biden Administration, was an attack with many rules seeking to strangulate coal out of existence, telling your coal miners that they should just learn to code. We understand how important coal is to your state and many other states up here on this dais. The 2024 Mercury and Air Toxics Standards have been repealed. We still have the strict 2012 standards that were working and have significantly reduced mercury and other emissions. We are working to repeal Clean Power Plan 2.0...we are rolling back that attack that we saw on coal and other sources of power.”
Capito also raised concerns about returning congressionally rescinded Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund dollars if litigation affirms Congress's decision: “Do you commit to quickly returning these funds to the US Treasury?” Zeldin responded: “Enthusiastically.”
Addressing PFAS contamination liability for small water providers or "passive receivers," Capito asked how existing settlement tools under CERCLA were being used by EPA. Zeldin said: “We believe strongly that the polluter should pay and that rate payers shouldn’t be on the hook for cleaning up PFAS contamination...There isn’t a liability settlement that I’m here to report on, and a Congressional solution would certainly be ideal.”
On safe drinking water in rural communities through State Revolving Funds (SRFs), Capito requested commitment from Zeldin for future cooperation with states; he replied: “Yes, chairman.”
The committee maintains its administrative base in Washington’s Senate Dirksen Office Building according to its official website. It collaborates through subcommittees focused on clean air, water resources, transportation infrastructure as well as overseeing federal programs balancing conservation needs nationwide according to its official website.
Shelley Moore Capito chairs this committee alongside members such as Kevin Cramer and Cynthia Lummis according to information available online.
