Former Wyoming Legislator Cyrus Western Appointed EPA Region 8 Administrator
Former Wyoming state lawmaker Cyrus Western has been appointed to lead the US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Region 8 office, which oversees environmental policies in six states and 28 Tribal Nations.
The appointment, announced Monday by the Trump administration, places Western in charge of implementing federal environmental regulations across Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota.
Western, a Republican from Big Horn, represented Wyoming’s House District 51 from 2019 to 2024, serving three terms. During his tenure, he held the role of House Majority Whip and was active on multiple committees, including the Minerals, Business and Economic Development Committee, the Travel, Recreation, Wildlife and Cultural Resources Committee, and the Agriculture, State and Public Lands and Water Resources Committee.
Western holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental science from Washington & Jefferson College and a Master of Arts in Liberal Studies in environmental science from Harvard University. His legislative background, particularly his work on natural resource and energy issues, was a key factor in his selection for the EPA role.
As the Region 8 administrator, Western will oversee environmental programs related to air and water quality, emissions regulations, groundwater contamination, and industrial compliance. His office will also handle the management of Superfund sites and responses to environmental hazards.
Western emphasized his commitment to balancing environmental protection with economic growth.
“I’m honored to be appointed to lead EPA Region 8 under Administrator Lee Zeldin and President Trump,” he said in a statement.”I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve the people of the region and foster human health and environmental protection while encouraging sound economic growth.”
The position does not require Senate confirmation, and Western began his new role on Monday.
Wyoming’s congressional delegation expressed strong support for Western’s appointment. US Sen. John Barrasso called him “an incredible partner for Wyoming and the West,” while US Sen. Cynthia Lummis highlighted his understanding of Wyoming’s regulatory needs.
Industry leaders also reacted positively, with Travis Deti, executive director of the Wyoming Mining Association, emphasizing the importance of having a Wyoming representative in this role.
“We want to solve problems rather than have an adversarial relationship,” Deti said.
Western has faced criticism in the past, including for a 2020 social media post that was widely condemned as racially charged. Additionally, in 2023, the Sheridan County GOP censured him over alleged illegal campaign mailings. However, these incidents did not prevent his appointment, which was backed by key political figures in Wyoming.
Western’s appointment marks a shift in leadership for EPA Region 8, following the tenure of KC Becker, an environmental attorney from Colorado who served under the Biden administration. His selection aligns with the Trump administration’s broader focus on deregulation and energy development.
WyoFile, Sheridan Media, and Cowboy State Daily contributed to this report.
