Trump's Environmental Shift: What to Expect

When Donald Trump returns to the White House, he plans to make significant changes to the country's environmental policies. Some of the biggest changes include withdrawing from the Paris Agreement, opening more areas for oil and gas drilling, and weakening rules that control power plant emissions. Trump's goal is to boost economic growth, but these changes come at a time when scientists are urging nations to reduce fossil fuel use to combat climate change. Trump has stated that he will withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement, a deal aimed at limiting global warming. This withdrawal won't happen immediately, as it takes a year for the changes to take effect. During his first term, no other nation followed the US in withdrawing, but this time, Argentina is considering a similar move. To fulfill his campaign promise of "drill, baby, drill, " Trump plans to open more land and water areas for oil and gas extraction. This includes the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska, which environmentalists are worried about. The refuge was opened for energy companies during Trump's first term, but development has been limited since then. Trump also aims to weaken rules that restrict power plant emissions. These rules are designed to curb global warming and improve public health. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that these rules could prevent up to 1, 200 premature deaths and cut carbon emissions by billions of tons. However, Trump has promised to eliminate these rules, accusing the Biden administration of a "regulatory jihad to shut down power plants. " Another change Trump is expected to make is to abolish a fee on methane. Methane is a significant driver of climate change, and new rules are in place to control this pollution. However, industry groups and conservative lawmakers are calling for a weakening of these rules, and Trump has promised to carry out their agenda.

Trump also plans to claw back clean energy subsidies authorized by the Inflation Reduction Act. These subsidies are designed to accelerate the energy transition, but Trump has vowed to rescind all unspent funds. However, this would require Congress's approval, which may not be easy to get. Trump could also shrink national monuments, as he did with Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante in Utah during his first term. These monuments were restored by Biden, but Trump could contract their boundaries again, potentially opening them up for mining and recreational vehicles. The new administration is expected to end Biden's pause on approving new liquefied natural gas (LNG) export facilities. This could lead to more planet-warming emissions and cement the US's role as the world's biggest LNG exporter. Trump is also expected to scrap Biden's environmental justice initiative, which aims to steer at least 40 percent of the benefits of federal climate investments to disadvantaged communities. The incoming administration is likely to roll back rules that protect endangered plants and animals. This includes removing protections for specific animals at the request of the oil and logging sectors. Trump also plans to lift restrictions on auto emissions, targeting rules that push automakers toward electric vehicles and other low emission technologies. This includes a special waiver California has been granted to impose tougher fuel efficiency standards. Trump could also stall federal clean energy purchasing, which Biden aimed to use to become carbon neutral by 2050. This move would have driven up demand for green technologies, but Trump could rescind this order.

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