Former Rep. Lee Zeldin, who is President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Environmental Protection Agency, told senators Thursday that climate change is real but that other nations are not doing enough to cut their carbon emissions.

Mr. Zeldin, a Republican from New York, acknowledged concerns about heat-trapping gases like carbon dioxide and methane, and rising sea levels. He said emissions have decreased in the U.S. in recent decades and other superpowers should make an effort, an allusion to nations such as China and India.

“I believe that climate change is real,” Mr. Zeldin told Sen. Bernard Sanders, Vermont independent, during a confirmation hearing before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.

But he defended his future boss, Mr. Trump, saying the president-elect’s comments about climate change being a hoax were related to policy solutions that were unfair to the U.S.

“I think that he’s concerned about the economic costs of some policies,” Mr. Zeldin said.

More broadly, Mr. Zeldin said it would be possible to protect the environment without stifling economic opportunity.

“We can and we must protect our precious environment without suffocating the economy,” he said.

Senators focused on the climate and parochial matters in their states during the hearing, without the type of bitter exchanges about personal character that other nominees faced. The congenial tone signaled Mr. Zeldin has a solid path toward confirmation in the GOP-controlled Senate.

Sen. Dan Sullivan, Alaska Republican, asked Mr. Zeldin to visit his state if he is confirmed. He also said EPA agents should not use armed raids to ensure compliance with its rules, saying past incidents frightened his constituents.

Mr. Zeldin told Sen. Adam Schiff, California Democrat, he would visit California as administrator to assist in the recovery from Los Angeles fires that have killed at least 25 people and destroyed thousands of homes.

“To make sure that his recovery is as speedy as possible, I would like to come to California to speak to those on the ground, [and] hear any concerns that we need to take back to Washington,” Mr. Schiff said.

Senators grilled Mr. Zeldin as part of a busy week of confirmation hearings on Capitol Hill.

Eric Scott Turner appeared before the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee for his nomination as leader of the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Mr. Turner, a 52-year-old who also served in the first Trump administration, is a former player in the NFL and a professional mentor, pastor and former Texas House member.

HUD is charged with addressing the nation’s housing needs and fair housing laws, and oversees housing for the poorest Americans.

Sen. Bernie Moreno, Ohio Republican, asked how the number of illegal immigrants has affected housing affordability. Mr. Turner called it “a great burden” on HUD as an agency, especially as a homelessness issue.

Sen. Ruben Gallego, Arizona Democrat, implored Mr. Turner to protect U.S. citizens in HUD housing even if undocumented people were in their household. Only people legally in the country can receive HUD subsidies, though Mr. Trump’s first administration had tried unsuccessfully to limit their eligibility if they live with people who may not have approved immigration status.

Mr. Turner said he would uphold the laws on the books.

“We do not like to tear up families, but we have an obligation to serve the American people,” he said.

Mr. Zeldin, 44, ran for governor in 2022 but lost to incumbent Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul in the general election. He emerged as a key Trump ally during the president-elect’s first term.

During Senate testimony, Mr. Zeldin noted that he represented a New York district surrounded by water. He pointed to efforts to clean up plastic pollution and protect the Long Island Sound.

“I strongly believe we have a moral responsibility to be good stewards of our environment for generations to come,” Mr. Zeldin said.

Also, Mr. Zeldin said no one has signaled a plan to move the EPA headquarters out of Washington.

He was responding to Sen. Angela Alsobrooks, Maryland Democrat, whose constituents make up some of the federal workforce.

Committee Republicans urged Mr. Zeldin to maintain a healthy balance between federal power and state control of things like waterways.

Democrats, meanwhile, scolded Mr. Trump for courting fossil fuel companies during the campaign.

“These special interests now expect a return on their political investment,” said Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, Rhode Island Democrat. “They expect a reversal of our already limited protections for our air and water.”

During questioning, Mr. Whitehouse got Mr. Zeldin to acknowledge that certain gas emissions can trap heat in the atmosphere. The nominee declined, however, to get into specific temperature thresholds that might signal a global crisis.

“That is something where I have to defer to the talented scientists [at EPA],” Mr. Zeldin said.

• This story is based in part on wire service reports.

• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.