CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Today, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, made stops in Kanawha, Putnam, and Mason counties with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin. During their visit, Chairman Capito and Administrator Zeldin witnessed the direct impacts of the Republican policy changes under President Trump on the success and growth of West Virginia’s energy and manufacturing industries.
First, Chairman Capito and Administrator Zeldin held a West Virginia Energy and Manufacturing RoundTable in Charleston, W.Va. At the roundtable, Chairman Capito and Administrator Zeldin spoke with industry leaders to hear directly about improvements they have seen under the Trump administration’s leadership and further challenges they need addressed.
Next, Chairman Capito and Administrator Zeldin traveled to the John Amos Power Plant in Winfield, W.Va. During their visit, Chairman Capito and Administrator Zeldin spoke with the plant’s leaders, who have experienced firsthand the disastrous impact of Democrats’ attack on the American coal industry. Under Administrator Zeldin’s leadership, the EPA has begun the process of eliminating those harmful policies, including the Clean Power Plan 2.0, and restoring investment in coal-fired power.
Next, Chairman Capito and Administrator Zeldin visited the Toyota Motors Manufacturing West Virginia in Buffalo, W.Va. During the stop, Chairman Capito and Administrator Zeldin learned more about the plant’s growth in 2025, fueled by their leadership in overturning the Biden administration’s EV mandate earlier this year. This reckless policy would have banned the sale of gas-powered cars across 30% of the U.S. market and eliminated jobs across the automotive industry.
Finally, Chairman Capito and Administrator Zeldin traveled to Apple Grove, W.Va. to visit the Nucor Steel plant, as they progress toward becoming fully operational after overcoming harmful government red tape and permitting delays that nearly halted its construction. Nucor’s challenges demonstrate the urgent need for reform to our environmental review and permitting processes, which Chairman Capito and Administrator Zeldin are both prioritizing.
“It was a privilege to host Administrator Zeldin in West Virginia today. Our state and the hardworking, dedicated people who live here contribute so much to our nation’s energy and manufacturing growth. Due to the shared mission and policy priorities of the EPW Committee and the EPA, our state’s energy and manufacturing industries have experienced visible advancements in less than one year, as harmful Democratic policies have been eliminated to reopen doors to progress in West Virginia and across the nation. It was great to see the impact of our efforts first-hand today as we continue our work to unleash West Virginia energy and spur economic development while protecting the environment of our communities,” Chairman Capito said.
“Very grateful for Chairman Capito’s amazing, steady leadership, and today’s visit to West Virginia was certainly no exception. Our itinerary showcased the great advancements the state has made in less than a year during the Trump Administration. We saw on full display the manufacturing improvements and increase in energy production taking place right here in West Virginia, due to the Chairman’s efforts and partnership with the Trump EPA. Our agency will continue to work closely with her Senate EPW Committee to dismantle the overly burdensome regulations placed by the Biden Administration to help spur economic growth for ALL Americans while remaining good stewards of our environment,” Administrator Zeldin said.
Photos from today’s events are included below:
U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin host a West Virginia Energy and Manufacturing RoundTable in Charleston, W.Va. on Wednesday, November 12, 2025.
U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin at the John Amos Power Plant in Winfield, W.Va. on Wednesday, November 12, 2025.
U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin at the Toyota Motors Manufacturing Plant in Buffalo, W.Va. on Wednesday, November 12, 2025.
U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin at the Nucor Steel Plant in Apple Grove, W.Va. on Wednesday, November 12, 2025.
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