U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team has outlined a series of executive orders and proclamations aimed at reversing key policies put in place by the outgoing administration, according to a Friday report by The New York Times.
The proposed actions reflect Trump’s commitment to fulfilling his campaign promises to curtail environmental regulations, boost fossil fuel industries, and reshape the nation’s climate agenda.
Among the most prominent moves is a plan to withdraw the United States from the Paris climate agreement, a decision Trump reiterated during his campaign.
The President-elect is also looking to reduce the size of certain national monuments to open up more land for drilling and mining, which could have significant implications for protected areas like Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante in Utah.
The proposed changes are seen as part of Trump’s broader effort to roll back Obama-era environmental protections that he claims have hindered economic growth.
In addition to these landmark decisions, Trump’s team is preparing to lift the moratorium on new liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports to major markets in Asia and Europe.
This pause, instated by President Joe Biden’s administration in January, was aimed at allowing a more thorough environmental and economic review of the long-term effects of such exports.
With this change, Trump’s administration would accelerate the U.S.’s role as a key energy exporter, aligning with his commitment to energy independence and job creation within the fossil fuel industry.
Another significant policy shift under consideration is the revocation of California’s waiver to set stricter vehicle emissions standards than the federal government.
The Trump administration is expected to challenge this special status granted to California, which has long been a leader in environmental protection.
This move would align with Trump’s promises to reduce federal interference in state policies and reduce regulatory burdens on the automotive industry.
Karoline Leavitt, a spokeswoman for the Trump transition team, responded to the Reuters inquiry, emphasizing that the results of the election give Trump a “mandate to implement the promises he made on the campaign trail.”
She added that the President-elect is determined to “deliver” on these key issues, signaling a shift toward prioritizing economic growth over environmental regulation.
Moreover, there have been discussions within the transition team about relocating the headquarters of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) out of Washington, D.C., though details remain unclear.
Such a move could be part of broader efforts to decentralize the agency’s operations and reduce its regulatory influence on businesses.
The Trump administration’s planned actions are a clear pivot away from Biden’s climate agenda, which has focused on rejoining the Paris agreement and strengthening regulations to combat climate change.
With the transition team gearing up for the new administration, these proposed measures highlight the stark contrast in policy direction between the two leaders.
As Trump prepares to take office, environmental groups, industry advocates, and lawmakers are bracing for the changes that could reshape U.S. environmental and energy policy for years to come.
