The New York Times reported on Friday, November 8th that the transition team of President-elect Donald Trump has prepared a series of executive orders and announcements, including plans to withdraw the United States from the Paris Climate Accord once again. There are also intentions to reduce the protections granted by the Antiquities Act to certain lands or historical sites to allow for more drilling and mining activities.
It is anticipated that Trump will lift the ban on exporting new liquefied natural gas to the vast markets of Asia and Europe, and revoke an exemption that allowed California and other states to implement stricter pollution standards. Many of these actions were promised by Trump during his campaign.
Additionally, sources have mentioned that some members of Trump’s transition team are discussing relocating the headquarters of the Environmental Protection Agency out of Washington.
Levitt, a spokesperson for Trump’s transition team, responded to Reuters’ inquiries by stating that the election results on November 5th have empowered Trump to fulfill his campaign promises, and he intends to do so.
The Biden administration had paused approval for new liquefied natural gas exports in January of this year to conduct a study on the environmental and economic impacts of such exports.
The U.S. Department of Energy is set to release an updated analysis draft by the end of this year for public feedback, with a 60-day period for comments.