The Trump administration announced Monday it has tapped former Wyoming lawmaker Cyrus Western to lead the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Region 8 office. 

The “Mountains and Plains” regional office oversees federal laws regarding air, water and land in Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota and 28 Tribal Nations.

Western, a Republican from Big Horn, served three terms as House District 51 Representative from 2019 to 2024, including a term as House Majority Whip. He was a member of 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.

“I’m honored to be appointed to lead EPA Region 8 under Administrator Lee Zeldin and President Trump,” Western said in a prepared 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.” 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 8 Administrator Cyrus Western. (EPA)

The Region 8 post was formerly held by KC Becker, who had served as an attorney for the Department of the Interior and then several terms in the Colorado House of Representatives.

Western is the first former Wyoming lawmaker to serve under Trump’s second administration. Former Wyoming Game and Fish Department Director Brian Nesvik was tapped earlier this year to lead the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Western announced last spring he would not seek reelection, but told WyoFile at the time, “I will definitely be back.” He added, “But just kind of have to sit off for a little while and focus on starting a family.”

He holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental science from Washington & Jefferson College, according to Wikipedia, and a Master of Arts in Liberal Studies in environmental science from Harvard University.

Western came under fire in 2020 for a racially charged social media post regarding the appointment of Aaron Appelhans, who is black, as Albany County sheriff. The Sheridan County GOP censured Western in 2023 for alleged illegal mailings in 2022 critical of fellow county Republican candidates.

Still, Western received the enthusiastic backing of Wyoming’s congressional delegation. 

“Cyrus Western will be an incredible partner for Wyoming and the West in this new role at the Environmental Protection Agency,” Republican U.S. Sen. John Barrasso said in a prepared statement. “As a seasoned Wyoming legislator, Cyrus knows firsthand how we can protect America’s air, water, and land without suffocating our economy.”  

“Having someone like Cyrus who truly understands Wyoming and will restore the EPA’s commitment to cooperative federalism is a significant win for western states,” Republican U.S. Sen. Cynthia M. Lummis said in a prepared statement. “I look forward to collaborating with Cyrus and Administrator Zeldin to advance President Trump’s American energy resurgence.”

Click here to read a new WyoFile Q&A with Cyrus Western.

Correction: This story was updated to correct that Cyrus Western served three terms as a House District Representative in the Wyoming Legislature. —Ed

Dustin Bleizeffer covers energy and climate at WyoFile. He has worked as a coal miner, an oilfield mechanic, and for more than 25 years as a statewide reporter and editor primarily covering the energy...

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