Lee Zeldin reveals how much taxpayer money the EPA is saving through cutting waste

Lee Zeldin, the new administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, explained to Americans the recent steps he has taken to cut down on wasteful spending by the federal government's environment watchdog.

On Wednesday, Zeldin said his staff is working to recover over $20 billion that was stashed outside the EPA by then-political appointees within the EPA under the Biden-Harris administration.

"This scheme was the first of its kind in EPA history, and it was purposefully designed to obligate all of the money in a rush job with reduced oversight," Zeldin stated, noting that only eight entities would be in charge of disbursing that money to politically aligned non-governmental organizations.

Zeldin said the bank the money was allocated to must return all of the funds to the EPA.

'Unfortunately, the Biden administration failed to process these obligated funds ...'

"We will review every penny that has gone out the door. I'll be referring this matter to the inspector general's office and will work with the Justice Department as well. The days of irresponsibly shoveling boatloads of cash to far-left activists groups in the name of environmental justice and equity are over," he continued.

On Thursday, Zeldin said he canceled a $50 million grant that was awarded by the Biden-Harris administration to the Climate Justice Alliance, "which believes 'climate justice travels through a Free Palestine.'"

The Climate Justice Alliance also says it works to:

• "End the Era of Extreme Energy (fossil fuels, nuclear power, waste and biomass incineration, landfill gas, mega-hydro, and agrofuels) which pose extreme risks to local ecosystems and communities."
• "Collaborate on a national 'climate jobs' program creating 10 million good, green, and family-supporting jobs through meaningful work."
• "Reduce carbon emissions in line with what science says is necessary to avoid catastrophic climate change."

In response to the grant being canceled, the organization's executive director, K.D. Chavez, said the following:

The Administration continues its attacks on working class communities, rural and urban families with its announcement of the cancellation of the Climate Justice Alliance’s UNITE-EJ program grant. Unfortunately, the Biden administration failed to process these obligated funds intended to help communities facing disasters from climate change and left the decision in the hands of the Trump administration. Despite claims that this administration will protect clean water and clean air for the nation it has attacked basic protections for neglected communities from day one.

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!