Summary
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is bracing for major upheaval if Donald Trump returns to the presidency, with anticipated cuts to staff and environmental protections.
During his previous term, Trump rolled back over 100 environmental regulations, leading to staff departures and a weakened EPA.
Now, with plans under “Project 2025,” Trump allies aim to dismantle offices focused on environmental justice and pollution enforcement, prioritize loyalty in staffing, and potentially reverse Biden-era policies on PFAS, lead, and climate regulations.
EPA employees express heightened anxiety, fearing intensified ideological interference.
Regulations are written by Congress. The Republicans controlled the House this term, so not many. Legislation is much quicker and easier to repeal than to enact.
Many of the climate actions that can be directly overseen by the President have been addressed by Biden. He rejoined the Paris Climate Agreement, revoked the Keystone Pipeline permit, created a 13 million acre federal petroleum reserve for Alaskan wildlife, greatly increased oil site lease cost, signed $7B in solar subsidies, invested $66B in passenger rail, enacted the Inflation Reduction act to support clean energy, increased energy efficiency standards on cars, appliances, and industry, and created new permitting rules to streamline transmission lines, all in one term.
Informative, Thank you.