With Donald Trump now re-elected as President, a big shift in U.S. energy and environmental policy is underway. According to the New York Times, Trump’s team has prepared a series of executive orders and proclamations aimed at dismantling many of President Joe Biden’s climate-focused initiatives. Trump’s new approach will focus on increasing oil, gas, and coal production to strengthen the economy and reduce regulations that his team believes hinder growth.
One of Trump’s first moves is likely to be pulling the U.S. out of the Paris Agreement, the international climate treaty aimed at reducing global carbon emissions to combat climate change. Trump previously exited the agreement during his first term, and now plans to withdraw again, stepping back from climate commitments that he argues are economically restrictive.
Another major change involves the Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante national monuments in Utah. Biden expanded protections for these areas, which are rich in Indigenous heritage sites and unique wildlife. However, Trump’s team wants to reduce these protections by opening parts of the land for drilling and mining. This decision could trigger a heated debate between conservationists and energy interests.
Trump’s administration also intends to reverse Biden’s environmental justice initiatives, which promoted clean-energy projects and pollution reduction, especially in disadvantaged areas. Part of this shift would involve ending the suspension of permits for new natural gas export terminals, potentially leading to more fossil fuel exports.
To oversee these changes, Trump is expected to appoint a new “energy czar” dedicated to boosting traditional energy production rather than focusing on reducing carbon emissions. Names like North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum and former Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette—both known for their support of fracking—are being considered for this role.
Another striking proposal on Trump’s agenda is moving federal agencies, such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), out of Washington, D.C., with the aim of aligning these institutions more closely with his energy priorities. While many EPA employees are against the move, Trump and his allies argue that this relocation would streamline operations and put agencies in closer touch with regions affected by energy policies.
According to Myron Ebell, a Trump ally and former advisor, Trump’s plan is to undo much of what Biden accomplished in his first days, focusing on “putting a ‘not’ in front” of Biden’s climate policies. This could mean ending renewable energy projects and other green initiatives that Trump sees as obstacles to affordable, reliable energy.
With the U.S. one of the world’s biggest energy consumers, Trump’s agenda is sure to spark both domestic and international reactions, as global climate activists continue to push for a phaseout of fossil fuels. While his supporters see his plan as a path toward energy independence and economic strength, environmentalists fear it could have severe consequences for climate progress. The next few years may reveal how this dramatic energy shift shapes America’s environmental and economic landscape.
