Activists Concerned Over Trump’s Picks for EPA, Energy & Interior
TL/DR –
President-elect Donald Trump has chosen former New York Congressman Lee Zeldin as the next head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), raising alarm among environmental activists. If successful in rolling back President Joe Biden’s emissions-reduction efforts, the U.S. could emit an extra four billion tons of carbon over the next six years, according to UK-based Carbon Brief. Pat Parenteau, emeritus professor at the Vermont Law and Graduate School, expects Zeldin to target tailpipe regulations and power plant rules, among others, which risks paralyzing any meaningful federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions.
Trump’s Climate and Environmental Protection Plan under spotlight
President-elect Donald Trump’s nominees for top federal departments crucial to climate and environmental protection have sparked a wave of concern and criticism from activists. If Trump manages to reverse President Joe Biden’s significant emissions-reduction milestones, it’s predicted that the U.S. could emit an extra 4 billion tons of carbon over the forthcoming six years. This volume would be double the global emissions reductions achieved by renewable energy sources in the last five years, according to the UK’s Carbon Brief. Vermont Law and Graduate School’s emeritus professor, Pat Parenteau, is amongst the worried activists.
The Impact of Trump’s EPA Head Pick
When asked about Trump’s choice of former New York Congressman Lee Zeldin as the EPA’s next head, Parenteau stated that despite Zeldin’s past support for strong environmental measures, his mandate under Trump will likely be to rollback Biden’s climate and environmental policies.
Regulations at Risk
Trump’s day one target is the tailpipe regulations, according to Parenteau. These controls deal with a variety of pollutants and have resulted in significant improvements in air quality across the country since the Clean Air Act was adopted in 1970.
Power Plant Regulations
Parenteau predicts that following the tailpipe regulations, the next targets will be power plant rules. Without these controls alongside those dealing with methane emissions from the oil and gas industry, there will be no significant federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions from the major sources.
Challenges in Rule Making and Breaking
Parenteau highlights that rule making and breaking is a lengthy process. Missteps made by Trump could lead to procedural shortcomings, providing an opportunity for the environmental community and public health community to challenge these moves.
The Department of Energy under New Leadership
Trump has chosen Chris Wright, CEO of a major fracking firm, Liberty Energy, to lead the Department of Energy. Parenteau expressed concern over Wright’s denial of climate change and energy transition. He foresees Wright clawing back unobligated Inflation Reduction Act funding and accelerating the licensing of liquified natural gas (LNG) operations.
The Future of the Department of Interior
Trump has appointed North Dakota’s governor, Doug Burgum, to head the Department of Interior. Parenteau expects Burgum to boost oil and gas leasing on public lands and possibly attempt to increase drilling in locations such as the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and national monuments.
Market Impact
Parenteau believes that the market may become worried about constantly escalating production, given the financial risks and physical dangers of climate change. He hopes that the financial markets can see the dead end in continually stoking the market for more oil and gas.
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