Across the nation, efforts to combat climate change and transition to cleaner energy are facing new challenges. President Donald Trump has significantly altered these endeavors with executive orders shortly after taking office.
While not unexpected, these actions are a setback for businesses and organizations that made strides during the Biden administration, now entering a more adversarial period.
Trump declared a national energy emergency to increase fossil fuel production and withdrew the U.S. from the Paris Agreement. He also suspended new offshore wind permits, halted federal EV charging funds, and reversed Biden’s environmental justice policies.
Inside Climate News spoke to energy experts and activists nationwide, from New York to California, to assess the impact of these orders.
State Action Will Be Key
States must now lead in climate protection, said Howard Learner, CEO of the Environmental Law & Policy Center. “We have a strategic plan, and we’re gearing up for necessary federal defenses while advancing opportunities in Midwest states,” he stated.
Learner emphasized the importance of not getting sidetracked by Trump’s likely-to-be-contested orders and instead focusing on impactful federal actions.
“Let’s not chase Trump’s distractions,” Learner advised, focusing on actions threatening clean air and water, fearing potential public health costs from increased fossil fuel production.
—Dan Gearino
A Call for Climate Solutions in Weather-Weary Florida
In Florida, Trump’s orders raised concerns about hotter temperatures, rising seas, and more severe hurricanes. The state experienced a harsh hurricane season last year, including the deadliest U.S. hurricane since Katrina.
Delaney Reynolds, a Miami native, has witnessed worsening climate impacts firsthand. She supports staying in the Paris accord to foster U.S. global leadership in climate solutions.
Reynolds and others fear state and local governments will now bear the brunt of climate policy. Florida’s Governor, Ron DeSantis, previously signed legislation removing “climate change” from state codes.
Yoca Arditi-Rocha, executive director of the CLEO Institute, said leaving the Paris accord is a missed chance to build a resilient future.
—Amy Green
The Climate Crisis is an Affordability Crisis, and New York is Vulnerable
Bob Cohen of Citizen Action for New York, a group advocating for social and environmental justice, expressed outrage at Trump’s rollback of environmental regulations, which he says disproportionately impacts low-income communities.
“The climate crisis is an affordability crisis,” said Eunice Ko of the New York City Environmental Justice Alliance. She urged the governor to lead New York through this period by meeting Climate Act mandates to reduce emissions and pollution in vulnerable communities.
Both Ko and Cohen are concerned that Trump’s plan to reduce the impact of the Inflation Reduction Act could hinder clean energy incentives, worsening New York City’s rising utility costs.
—Lauren Dalban
In the Mountain West, Some See Losses, Others See Wins
Trump’s orders were “disappointing,” said Aaron Weiss, deputy director of the Center for Western Priorities. The orders may hinder access to home-improvement funds from the Inflation Reduction Act and halt onshore wind production.
In Wyoming, Trump’s executive order puts almost $850 million in energy efficiency funding in jeopardy, affecting low-income residents. A planned $70 million distribution for energy efficiency improvements is now uncertain.
Weiss expressed hope that falling solar and wind prices would continue to drive the energy transition despite challenges.
Kathleen Sgamma, president of the Western Energy Alliance, noted that communities might see more development near public lands with fewer federal land restrictions.
—Jake Bolster
Actions Could Increase Energy Prices for Pennsylvanians
In Pennsylvania, limited differences in energy policies between parties exist, said Shannon Smith of FracTracker. The state has already experienced record natural gas production under Biden.
Trump’s removal of Biden’s pause on liquified natural gas export applications could increase production and costs for Pennsylvanians. Public Citizen estimated this could result in up to $16 billion in higher gas prices.
David Masur of PennEnvironment criticized Trump’s orders for potentially increasing consumer costs by rolling back energy efficiency standards.
—Kiley Bense
The Back-and-Forth Over Expanded Resource Extraction in Alaska Continues
Trump’s executive order for Alaska seeks to increase resource extraction, reversing protections from the Biden administration. Environmental groups criticized attempts to drill in protected areas like the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, where a recent lease sale drew no bids due to oil companies’ lack of interest.
Environmental groups like the Gwich’in Steering Committee oppose drilling in the refuge, considering it vital to the Indigenous Gwich’in people’s sustenance.
Some Alaskans support Trump’s orders, with Gov. Mike Dunleavy previously requesting these policy changes.
—Nicholas Kusnetz
Wind Lease Pause Threatens Economic and Energy Development in the East
The offshore wind industry faces challenges with an executive order halting new leases. This could slow economic development in Eastern states with offshore wind initiatives.
Willett Kempton of the University of Delaware criticized the order as counterproductive during rising electricity demand.
North Carolina’s Kitty Hawk South and Carolina Long Bay projects are at risk. Katharine Kollins of the Southeastern Wind Coalition emphasized wind energy’s importance for electricity needs and job creation.
—Lisa Sorg
Ordered Funding Cuts Could Weaken Maryland’s Climate Progress
Trump’s orders to cut federal EV infrastructure funding and halt offshore wind development threaten Maryland’s climate goals, including a 60 percent greenhouse gas reduction by 2031.
Jon Gordon of Advanced Energy United remains committed to Maryland’s clean energy transition. However, Quinton Scott from the Chesapeake Climate Action Network expressed concern over the setback to offshore wind development goals.
—Aman Azhar
Resolving California’s Water Issues Isn’t as Simple as “Putting People Over Fish”
Amidst the ongoing Los Angeles fires, Trump criticized California’s water management policies. He signed a memorandum to redirect water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to other parts of the state, sparking controversy.
Karrigan Börk, a University of California, Davis professor, explained the complexities of California’s water system, emphasizing the need for both human use and ecosystem protection.
Experts argue the memorandum oversimplifies water management and could face legal challenges.
—Liza Gross
The View from Washington
Environmental groups in Washington are preparing to counter Trump’s aggressive energy agenda. During his first term, many of his actions were blocked in court, but recent changes in the judiciary could pose challenges.
Manish Bapna, president of the Natural Resources Defense Council, emphasized the importance of defending Biden’s climate policies.
Bapna criticized Trump’s review of the EPA’s greenhouse gas endangerment finding, which could undermine the regulation of emissions.
Despite legal challenges, Bapna reassured that the NRDC would continue using “objective evidence” to challenge Trump administration actions.
Fossil fuel supporters welcomed Trump’s orders, with API’s Mike Sommers praising the administration’s swift pro-oil policies.
—Marianne Lavelle
Hawaii Prepares to Act on the Local Level
In Hawaii, Kaniela Ing of the Green New Deal Network expressed concern over Trump’s opposition to wind energy development, crucial to the state’s goal of 100 percent renewable energy by 2045.
Despite federal setbacks, Ing remained confident in local efforts and Governor Josh Green’s commitment to climate goals.
—Keerti Gopal
Natural Gas Orders Could Worsen Warming, Water Quality
Climate advocates expressed concern over Trump’s orders impacting methane emissions. Sharon Wilson highlighted issues with air and water pollution from increased liquified natural gas production.
Durwood Zaelke of the Institute for Governance and Sustainable Development remained hopeful, pointing to existing methane regulations aligning with European standards.
—Phil McKenna
In Ohio, Fear of Job Losses
Trump’s orders halting new EV charging station awards have caused concern in Ohio, a leader in EV infrastructure development.
Michael Benson, an EV consultant, criticized the misconception that EV adoption unfairly benefits from federal support compared to fossil fuels.
Concerns persist that slowing EV growth could jeopardize jobs at Ohio’s EV and battery manufacturing plants.
—Dan Gearino
Original Story at insideclimatenews.org