Trump’s Energy Policies May Drastically Increase U.S. Emissions
TL/DR –
President Trump’s policies supporting fossil fuel production and limiting renewable energy development are expected to raise greenhouse gas emissions in the US, breaking from former president Biden’s push for clean energy. Trump’s measures include executive orders to reopen land and ocean for new fossil fuel exploration activities, halting approvals and funding for wind energy projects, and cutting funding for environmental initiatives and research, particularly within the Environmental Protection Agency. This could lead to an increase in US crude output from 13.5 million to 15 million barrels per day, contravening global heating aims set by the International Energy Agency, and could also raise household energy costs and risk levels of private investment.
Trump Administration Promotes Fossil Fuels, Hinders Clean Energy Progress
The U.S. is seeing a resurgence in greenhouse gas emissions due to a shift back to fossil fuels, after making significant investments in clean energy under former President Joe Biden. Current President Donald Trump has implemented policies bolstering fossil fuel production, limiting renewable energy, and slashing environmental research funding. This policy shift has prompted experts to revise their greenhouse gas emissions predictions for the U.S. upwards.
Trump has not only aggressively promoted fossil fuels, but he has also planned to limit renewable energy projects, causing nervousness over fresh investment in clean energy. He has introduced an executive order to halt approvals, permits and loans for all wind energy projects, both onshore and offshore. This has triggered legal disputes from 18 states.
Moreover, the Trump administration is proposing to cut billions from federal funding for projects including renewable energy and electric vehicle chargers. It also plans to halt programs aimed at combating climate change, all part of a broader federal spending cut of $163 billion in 2026.
Climate law expert Michael Burger from Columbia University has highlighted that these actions are unprecedented and ambitious. He asserts, “They are doing things faster and with less process than last time, often disregarding the law.”
As per Rystad Energy forecasts, the U.S. is projected to increase its crude output from around 13.5 million bpd to 15 million bpd. However, the International Energy Agency (IEA) continues to stress that for global heating targets to be met, no new fossil fuel projects should be approved.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) predicts a 1% increase in U.S. energy-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in 2025, followed by a 1% decrease back to 2024 levels in 2026.
Rhodium Group forecasts that Trump’s current policies could increase average household energy costs by as much as $489 a year by 2035, drive greenhouse gas emissions levels 24-36% higher compared to current policy in 2035, and endanger significant private investment.
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