"What Trump 2.0 Could Mean for the Environment"

"If Donald Trump returns to the White House, he would likely face fewer legal and bureaucratic obstacles to dramatically remake the E.P.A."

"As president, Donald Trump’s sweeping attempts to roll back federal environmental regulations were often stymied — by the courts, by a lack of experience, even by internal resistance from government employees.

But if he retakes the White House in November, Mr. Trump would be in a far better position to dismantle environmental and climate rules, aided by more sympathetic judges and conservative allies who are already mapping out ways to bend federal agencies to the president’s will.

“It’s going to be easier,” said Myron Ebell, who led the transition at the Environmental Protection Agency after Mr. Trump won in 2016. “They’re going to have better people, more committed people, more experienced people. They will be able to move more quickly, and more successfully, in my view.”

On the campaign trail, Mr. Trump has promised to repeal federal regulations designed to cut greenhouse gas pollution that is rapidly heating the planet. Many of his allies want to go further. They are drafting plans to slash budgets, oust career staffers, embed loyalists in key offices and scale back the government’s powers to tackle climate change, regulate industries and restrict hazardous chemicals."

Brad Plumer and Lisa Friedman report for the New York Times July 16, 2024.

SEE ALSO:

"Trump’s Environmental Impact Endures, at Home and Around the World" (Inside Climate  News)

"Inside Trump’s Plan to Bulldoze American Climate Policy" (Sierra)

"A Second Trump Term Could Slow The Shift From Fossil Fuels As Climate Threats Grow" (NPR)

 

Source: NYTimes, 07/17/2024