Biden’s options for Trump-proofing his climate plan
TL/DR –
The Biden administration is taking steps to secure the president’s climate agenda ahead of the return of Donald Trump, who has vowed to increase fossil fuel production and repeal major climate initiatives. The administration has backed a proposal to curtail public financing for oil and gas projects, limited oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, and announced new regulations, but has yet to address crucial policies. Some of the yet-unaddressed actions that could still secure the climate agenda include denying liquefied natural gas export authorization permits, granting California a waiver to enforce a ban on the sale of new gasoline-powered cars and trucks by 2035, pushing out climate-related grants worth billions of dollars, and extending conservation initiatives.
Biden Administration’s Legacy Protection Efforts
The Biden administration is striving to secure its environmental legacy against potential threats from an incoming president set on dismantling major climate initiatives. Environmental groups had previously offered strategies to safeguard Biden’s climate agenda, many of which have been implemented.
Biden’s administrative actions thus far include backing aproposal to limit public financing for global oil and gas projects, protecting various endangered species, and announcing stricter regulations on harmful chemicals. However, key policies remain unaddressed with the looming return of Trump, who promises substantial rollbacks in oil and gas sector regulations and climate action.
Remaining Strategies for Environmental Action
Critics argue that Biden still has opportunities in his remaining weeks in office to take further action against fossil fuel expansion. Recent decisions include the release of astudy on the impacts of liquefied natural gas exports, although it stopped short of recommending an export ban. The study’s findings could be used to contest future project approvals.
The Biden administration has the authority to deny export authorization permits for pending LNG terminals and even rescind already issued permits. Pending approval, US-sourced LNG emissions could surpass the total greenhouse gas emissions of the European Union.
Possible EPA Actions
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) could also take measures such as granting California a waiver to enforce its 2035 ban on the sale of new gasoline-powered cars and trucks. Approving these waivers before the end of Biden’s term could create legal and procedural challenges for any attempts to reverse them, offering protection for long-term climate measures.
Moreover, the EPA’s enforcement office is reportedlyassessing penalties and reaching settlements with companies accused of environmental violations, anticipating leniency under a Trump administration.
Climate-Related Grants
The Biden administration is accelerating the distribution of climate-related grants, recently announcing that it had awardedmore than $100 billion for climate-related projects. The administration is on track to exceed its goal of disbursing more than 80% of the Inflation Reduction Act funding before the end of Biden’s term.
The majority of these grants and subsidies have gone toRepublican states, with GOP lawmakers pushing to retain them. Environmentalists are also urging for an extension of Biden’s conservation legacy.
Protecting Environmental Science
Climate scientists and environmental officials are taking steps to safeguard their work from political interference. The EPA union secured a contract that protects “scientific integrity” and ensures independent arbitrators, rather than political appointees, arbitrate disputes.
Additional Steps
Additional actions the Biden administration could take include shutting down the Dakota Access Pipeline, rejecting the GulfLink crude oil export terminal in Texas, and committing to funding for climate mitigation and adaptation inGlobal South countries.
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