President-elect Donald Trump is set to transform the U.S. approach to climate and energy policies dramatically.
Trump's victory in the 2024 election heralds significant reversals in environmental regulations and green energy initiatives established under President Joe Biden, Fox News reported.
Following his inauguration in January 2024, Trump aims to dismantle various policies that have been the cornerstone of Biden’s climate agenda.
Notably, Trump plans to pull the United States out of the Paris Climate Agreement once again, an international accord aimed at addressing climate change, which Biden had re-entered in 2021.
Trump has chosen North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum as head of the National Energy Council and appointed former Representative Lee Zeldin to lead the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). These appointments suggest a shift toward more industry-aligned policies, likely favoring fossil fuel developments.
In contrast, one of the Biden administration’s ambitious goals was for two-thirds of all new cars to be electric by 2032. However, this initiative faced resistance, highlighted by the Congressional Review Act passed by House Republicans in September, which seeks to undo these regulatory measures.
Moreover, Trump targets economic incentives supporting the transition to electric vehicles. He has proposed scrapping a significant tax credit that provides up to $7,500 for electric vehicle purchases, which has been crucial in bolstering the EV market in the United States.
The Trump campaign has expressed their plan to counteract the Biden administration's ban on new federal coal leases in Wyoming's Powder River Basin, a key area that produces about 40% of the nation's coal. Trump’s broader strategy to rejuvenate the coal industry aligns with this move, which he claims current policies have decimated.
Furthermore, when it comes to oil and gas, the Trump administration intends to overhaul regulations that financially penalize facilities for methane emissions. These penalties were set to escalate over the next few years, placing considerable financial burdens on the industry.
Karoline Leavitt, spokeswoman for the Trump-Vance Transition, emphasized the election's mandate:
Energy was a crucial factor in the 2024 elections, with Trump’s policies perceived as a method to decrease energy costs and tackle what the Trump campaign describes as an "inflation crisis." Speaking on the election results, Karoline Leavitt highlighted the economic strains faced by families due to energy policies under the Biden administration.
The potential removal of EV subsidies has garnered support from significant industry figures, including Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who believes ending these subsidies could benefit the market. "Take away the subsidies, it will only help Tesla," Musk stated, indicating confidence that the market should regulate itself without governmental intervention.
In addition, Mike Sommers, President and CEO of the American Petroleum Institute, also welcomed the election outcome, noting that the voters’ choice reflects a desire for diversified energy policies that include more than just mandates. He suggested that the election was a clear message from the public in favor of an approach that utilizes all available resources.
In conclusion, Trump's plans to dismantle Biden’s climate and energy policies mark a significant redirection in U.S. environmental strategy. Experts expect these changes to have far-reaching effects on various sectors, from auto manufacturing to energy production, and to redefine the nation's path toward managing its environmental and energy resources.
