Former Wyoming Lawmaker Cyrus Western Appointed to Lead EPA Region 8
The Trump administration has appointed Cyrus Western, a former Wyoming state lawmaker, to serve as the administrator for the US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Region 8 office.
This region, known as the Mountains and Plains office, oversees environmental regulations concerning air, water, and land in Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and 28 Tribal Nations.
Western, a Republican from Big Horn, represented House District 51 in the Wyoming Legislature from 2019 to 2024 and served as House Majority Whip. During his tenure, he was involved in committees focusing on minerals, business, economic development, travel, wildlife, agriculture, and state lands.
In a statement, Western expressed gratitude for the opportunity, stating:
“I’m honored to be appointed to lead EPA Region 8 under Administrator Lee Zeldin and President Trump. I look forward to fostering environmental protection while encouraging economic growth.”
Western’s appointment follows that of KC Becker, a former Colorado legislator and attorney for the Department of the Interior, who previously led EPA Region 8 under the Biden administration.
Western’s role aligns with EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin’s agenda, which emphasizes deregulation and reconsidering federal environmental policies. He supports revisiting key environmental laws, including the Clean Power Plan and the 2009 endangerment finding that established greenhouse gases as harmful pollutants.
Western emphasized a collaborative approach with states, saying:
“Wyoming knows Wyoming best. Montana knows Montana best. We want to work with states rather than impose federal mandates.”
His stance reflects Trump administration policies that prioritize economic considerations alongside environmental regulations, particularly regarding energy production and industrial development.
Western’s appointment has received strong support from Wyoming’s congressional delegation. Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY) called Western an “incredible partner” for the region, while Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) highlighted his understanding of Wyoming’s energy sector.
However, Western has faced past controversies. In 2020, he was criticized for a social media post regarding the appointment of Aaron Appelhans, Wyoming’s first Black sheriff. In 2023, he was censured by the Sheridan County GOP for alleged illegal mailings targeting fellow Republicans. Western has since apologized for his comments and maintains that he has learned from the experience.
Western, who holds degrees in environmental science from Washington & Jefferson College and a Master of Arts from Harvard University, will be based in Denver, Colorado, where EPA Region 8 operates.
Wyoming News Now, WyoFile, and Wyoming Public Media contributed to this report.
