November 09, 2016
President-elect Trump on environment and energy

Donald Trump’s dominant victory in the presidential election in conjunction with continued Republican majorities in both houses of Congress is expected to have several levels of impact on U.S. environmental and energy policies. All impacts described are based on statements President-elect Trump has made during the months leading up to the election. Bear in mind that the environment and energy were rarely Trump’s primary focus and were typically raised in conjunction with their roles in the U.S. economy and employment. However, Trump did occasionally stress the importance of the environment itself. For example, in one of Trump’s speeches that took a look at environment/energy, he states:
"I believe firmly in conserving our wonderful natural resources and beautiful natural habitats. My environmental agenda will be guided by true specialists in conservation, not those with radical political agendas." (Speech, Shale Insight Conference, September 22, 2016)

Trump blamed the Flint drinking water crisis on “incompetent politicians” and has generally taken a strong stand on drinking water infrastructure.

“This may be the most important issue we face as a nation for the next generation. Therefore, we must make the investment in our fresh water infrastructure to ensure access to affordable fresh water solutions for everyone. We must explore all options to include making desalinization more affordable and working to build the distribution infrastructure to bring this scarce resource to where it is needed for our citizens and those who produce the food of the world. This must be a top priority for my administration.” (Find the statement here.)

Climate
Regarding specific policies, the top environmental impact of Trump’s presidency will probably be felt in the area of U.S. policy on climate change. Early in his campaign, Trump said climate change is a hoax perpetrated by China. He later explained that comment as a joke. His latest position is that "There is still much that needs to be investigated in the field of climate change," and "We must decide on how best to proceed so that we can make lives better, safer and more prosperous."

One way Trump has said he wants to proceed is to withdraw the United States from the Paris Climate Agreement, probably the most significant international action ever taken to address climate change. President Obama was deeply committed to the success of the Agreement, and the U.S. investment in the negotiations and the strong U.S. commitment to reducing its emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) were viewed as critical to the pledges made by virtually every other nation in the world. Should the United States withdraw, it is hard to see how the Agreement will survive at all.

Trump has also said he intends to stop U.S. payments into the United Nations’ Green Climate Fund (GCF). The fund was initiated to assist developing countries in adaptation and mitigation practices to counter climate change. Under Obama, the United States pledged to contribute $3 billion to the fund and so far has delivered about $500 million. In a speech in Florida, Trump said he would use that money for environmental projects that include protecting the Florida Everglades.

Clean Power Plan
Within the first 100 days of his administration, Trump said he will withdraw EPA’s Clean Power Plan (CPP), also a major building block of the Paris Agreement. According to Trump, if implemented, the CPP will cost $7.2 billion a year and “shut down most, if not all, coal-power electricity plants—all over the country.” While the EPA has finalized the CPP, the rule is currently stayed by order of the U.S. Supreme Court and is being adjudicated by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. Trump has promised to bring coal mining jobs back to West Virginia, the state that has taken the lead in the judicial battle against the CPP.

EPA
Regarding the EPA itself, Trump has stepped back from an earlier threat to eliminate the Agency entirely. But he has also called it a disgrace that the EPA issues regulations “every day.” Trump has promised to "refocus the EPA on its core mission of ensuring clean air, and clean, safe drinking water for all Americans."

An early possibility to lead the EPA is Myron Ebell, whom Trump named to head an EPA transition team. Ebell is a member of the conservative Competitive Enterprise Institute and also the group leader of the Cooler Heads Coalition, an organization founded with the goal of informing the public about the economic impact of proposals to drastically reduce GHG emissions.

Clean Water Rule
Also, within 100 days of taking office, Trump said he would rescind the EPA/Army Corps of Engineers Clean Water Rule (CWR), which redefines waters of the United States, a phrase that is central to many regulatory programs under the Clean Water Act. Trump has taken the position that the CWR is “so extreme that it gives federal agencies control over creeks, small streams, and even puddles or mostly dry areas on private property.” He added that he will “ensure that these agencies respect the valid exclusions under environmental statutes for agricultural practices. As importantly, I will appoint a pro-farmer administrator of EPA.”

Public land
Trump wants to maintain federal control over public lands. He has stated that there is no knowing what will happen if ownership of these large areas, particularly in the West, is transferred to the states. However, he also believes more public land should be opened to oil and gas (O&G) development.

In addition, Trump wants to reverse decisions by the Obama administration to prohibit O&G development in regions of the North Slope of Alaska. Consideration of the Keystone XL pipeline, which was rejected by Obama, would also be revived under a Trump administration, although Trump has said he wants the United States to have a cut of revenues from the project.

Renewable energy
Finally, Trump says that wind and solar energy should be part of America’s energy profile to further U.S. energy independence. But he has cautioned that these forms of energy are expensive and unprofitable.

Hack away, LaSalle

I don't even know what to believe anymore. This dude has flip flopped on so many things it's hard to tell what he believes and what he doesn't. I don't mind someone changing their opinion, most people do when they hear the facts and can form an opinion and as things change so do their opinions. I get that. But this guy, just don't know what to believe. All I have to go on is the clowns he is appointing. He appointed Myron Ebell to oversee the transition of the EPA. The same Myron Ebell who is in the pocket of Exxon Mobil. The same Myron Ebell who said this...



No one is that stupid. He is clearly paid very well by special interests. He is lying about the scientists too.

So, I don't know anymore, I think I'm just going to shut it all down until the midterms, and if that goes poorly, then shut it down until 2020 because this entire ordeal is nauseating.

now you know how conservatives felt in 2008 and 2012

Conservatives have feelings? I'm kidding. 90 percent of my family is made of conservatives.

What's strange is the ones who aren't are the only ones in my family to ever make it out of Louisiana. Funny how that works.

I've been around the world multiple times, it certainly broaden my perspective. I am more conservative from a government budget standpoint than i have ever been but socially.. i no longer give a damn what you inject in your body anatomically or chemically. Just don't come whining when your life goes to pot, pun intended.

Your life will go to pot a just as easy from legal shit than it will illegal shit. Moderation is the key.

Was just a check list for you to gauge based on his platform leading in. You can judge accordingly in due time.

Thankfully he may be changing on climate change as well. So at this point he's gone back on virtually every position he took before the election. Who could have ever predicted this.