Expected Environmental Policies
- Fossil Fuel Expansion
- Trump has signaled a return to "American Energy Dominance," emphasizing domestic oil and gas production. His Cabinet picks, such as North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum (Interior) and oil executive Chris Wright (Energy), reflect this agenda.
- Reduced Federal Land Protections
- Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments, both partially dismantled during Trump's first term and restored by Biden, are likely targets for reduction.
- Conservation groups like the Grand Canyon Trust are preparing litigation to protect these lands.
- Reversing Climate Legislation
- Trump's administration may target Biden's Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and Inflation Reduction Act, both of which fund renewable energy projects and clean energy transitions. Legal advocates are working to secure these funds for grantees before any potential rollbacks.
- Discontinuation of Federal Climate Research
- Environmental groups predict an aggressive scaling back of climate research programs, following guidance from the conservative Project 2025 plan, which Trump's administration may adopt despite his campaign disavowal.
Legal Strategies and Preparations
Environmental groups like the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), with records of successful lawsuits during Trump's first term, are preparing to litigate.
- CBD filed 266 lawsuits against the first Trump administration, winning 87% of resolved cases.
- Anticipated challenges include efforts to preserve endangered species protections, block expanded drilling projects, and secure federal clean energy funding.
Challenges to Trump's Agenda
- Local Economic Impacts
- Many clean energy investments under Biden's policies are in Republican districts, creating pressure to maintain funding for projects like EV plants and solar manufacturing.
- Bipartisan Support for Clean Water
- Policies protecting drinking water and recreational resources often enjoy bipartisan support, making them harder to dismantle.
- Legal Precedents
- Conservation groups argue that actions like dismantling national monuments lack legal grounding, a point reinforced by prior litigation successes.
Outlook
Despite the anticipated challenges, environmental groups remain cautiously optimistic about preserving gains from recent years. They are relying on public support, bipartisan backing for certain conservation measures, and the courts to counter drastic policy changes. As one advocate noted, "We saw what happened under President Trump in his first term. We're ready to respond swiftly."