U.S. News
Trump Guts Biden’s Climate Plan in Energy Overhaul
Clear Facts
- President Donald Trump swiftly reversed much of former President Joe Biden’s climate policies through a series of executive orders, including declaring an “energy emergency.”
- Trump’s actions support fossil fuel development, including offshore drilling and energy resource development on public lands, and withdrew the U.S. from the Paris Agreement.
- Environmental groups are expected to challenge Trump’s orders legally, while experts suggest his policies may not lead to significant increases in fossil fuel production.
In a bold move, President Donald Trump wasted no time in dismantling the climate policies of his predecessor, Joe Biden. Mere hours after taking the oath of office, Trump issued a slew of executive orders aimed at reversing Biden’s climate agenda, including the declaration of an “energy emergency.”
This dramatic shift in U.S. energy policy marks one of the most significant changes since the 1973 oil export ban by Arab members of OPEC. Biden’s administration had focused on rejoining the Paris Agreement and implementing various regulations to curb greenhouse gas emissions. Trump’s orders, however, prioritize the development of fossil fuels, including critical mineral mining and energy infrastructure expansion.
One of Trump’s orders promotes offshore drilling, effectively revoking one of Biden’s last anti-fossil fuel measures. Additionally, Trump has pulled the United States out of the Paris Agreement, a move that underscores his commitment to fossil fuel development.
Despite Trump’s aggressive approach, energy analysts express skepticism about a significant increase in production, suggesting that infrastructure investment might be more likely.
“I don’t think we’re going to see a big drilling boom. I think it’s going to be more of a ‘build, baby build’ boom,” one analyst commented.
However, Trump’s agenda faces significant challenges, including potential legal battles from well-funded environmental groups. Carole Holley, managing attorney for Earthjustice’s Alaska Office, strongly opposed Trump’s plans, indicating the likelihood of legal action.
“The Trump administration’s agenda for Alaska would destroy valuable habitats and subsistence hunting and fishing grounds while furthering the climate crisis,” Holley stated.
The future of Trump’s policies remains uncertain, as the next president could easily reverse his orders. Experts suggest that Trump should consider strategies to make his policies more enduring, such as submitting the Paris Agreement to the Senate for ratification as a treaty, which would require a two-thirds majority.
While Trump’s executive orders have sparked a new chapter in U.S. energy policy, their long-term impact will depend on legal challenges, market conditions, and the actions of future administrations. Nevertheless, many believe that Trump’s approach could benefit consumers by unleashing American energy potential.
Some compare the potential growth under Trump’s policies to a comeback story, noting his resilience in the face of significant opposition.
Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.
Centurion
January 23, 2025 at 7:02 pm
“Environmental groups are expected to challenge Trump’s orders…”
They have NO standing! What Xao Bai-din established through an EO, Trump can dismantle through an EO. It’s just their precious feelings are hurt.
“The Trump administration’s agenda for Alaska would destroy valuable habitats…”
I call BS! The same thing was said by those very same fear mongers about the Alaskan Pipe Line decades ago. There has yet to be any habitat destroyed.
Christine Pylypowycz
January 23, 2025 at 7:19 pm
Trump never had the welfare of the US or it’s people as a priority. He is his number one priority. After being inaugurated, he’s systematically destroying our environment, our health care system and making America the laughing stock of the world. He is not fit to be a garbage collector, much less, a president
Henry Plante
January 24, 2025 at 9:00 am
Appears you are one.who was comfortable with having a president who didn’t have the mental power.of.a cooked cabbage!! TRUMP has made no adjustments to Social Security but in the past your idol voted twice to tax SS. Why do you idiots.always try to prove.your point by telling lies? The sane.people.of.this country.had to put.up with the administrations lies about Biden’s heath for four years while our country.was made the laughing stock of the free world, illegals flooded.The country, veterans were made homeless to make room for.foreign invaders, and inflation made survival for millions of.AMERICANS impossible!
Dianna Brendle
January 23, 2025 at 9:20 pm
Trump does not care about the environment or future generations period. He caters to the oil companies and big business and lines his pockets with their donations. Scientists have proven that emissions into our air, earth and water are detrimental to our planet and the people on it. He only thinks of himself. He is not fit to be president of anything. All his businesses and ventures have failed or been repossessed by banks. He plans to be a dictator and if that happens this country will be an environmental disgrace to the world.
Rick
January 24, 2025 at 7:28 am
That was the dumbest thing I ever read!
Karen
January 24, 2025 at 8:02 am
Not sure how anyone can think that Trump or anyone else can wave a magic wand and climate change will stop. As we have all been taught in school the Earth will get closure to the Sun each year. Nothing anyone can do about that. We can do several things to help protect our environment. But nothing will stop the Earth from getting closer to the Sun as it does the world’s temperature will rise. At some point, hopefully a thousand years from now, we will be close enough that nothing will survive the heat from the sun. Before we throw stones at other people about what they are not doing to help our planet or hurting our planet we need to look at ourselves. Have we stopped using electricity? Look at how it affects our world. Look at what goes into the world having electricity each day. For us to have it has not been so great on our world as far as being kind to nature. No one wants to give it up to save our planet. Have we stopped producing all the different products that we want for us to have a easier life? Have we stopped all the companies from processing food for us to eat? Look what all these companies do to produce and supply us with the things we want to make our life comfortable. But it does not bother us when we want that new pair of shoes, take off on a plane for another vacation, go to the grocery store, buy food that comes with plenty of packaging. So many things we do not want to give up to save our planet. But we want to call out other people. I was told before I throw a stone I best look at what I am doing first or that stone may hit me right in the face. Let’s all be a little kinder to each other and our planet. So, Dianna what are you doing to help our planet? Are you still driving a gas vehicle? Do you have electricity in your home, gas heat, leather clothing, handbags, furniture, a freezer with packages of frozen foods, can goods in your pantry, perfume, makeup that you want to give up for climate change? There is a lot we can do to help our world. Constantly blaming everyone else is not the answer. It is up to us all to help. These companies that produce all the things we want to have would not be in business if we were ready to give up on the things that make our lives comfortable. Look at what it takes to get that canned, frozen packaged food, pair of shoes, clothing, etc. for us to have what we want. Let us try to do better without throwing stones at each other when we are doing most of the things we are complaining about. Just a thought.