President Trump’s new executive orders on energy and climate policy prioritize fossil fuel development, disrupt renewable energy initiatives and shift responsibility to states for climate progress. Climate advocates around the country are gearing up to resist.
In short:
- Trump declared a national energy emergency, halted new offshore wind permits, and withdrew the U.S. from the Paris Agreement.
- Advocates in Florida, New York, and other states warn of increased public health, environmental and economic costs tied to fossil fuel expansion.
- States and climate groups plan to resist in courts and through local initiatives, emphasizing renewable energy as essential to combat climate change.
Key quote:
"Let’s not chase the Trumpian squirrels."
— Howard Learner, CEO and executive director of the Environmental Law & Policy Center
Why this matters:
The Trump administration's policies, aimed at bolstering fossil fuel industries and rolling back environmental protections, could significantly slow the momentum of renewable energy development in the U.S. These orders, including rollbacks of key climate initiatives and support of subsidies for coal and natural gas, have left clean energy advocates concerned about the potential for increased carbon emissions and the broader impact on the global climate crisis.
Read more: Trump’s climate pivot: exiting Paris Agreement and boosting fossil fuels
