Of the many ways that Donald Trump’s return to the White House promises to upend federal policy, few are as predictable and pernicious as this. He and his allies are threatening a U-turn. About climate change and environmental protection. Fortunately, California has considerable power to counter the onslaught.
Trump’s first administration retreats 100 or more Regulations for clean air and water, toxic chemicals, and wildlife protection. He called global warming “ hoaxwithdrew from the Paris Climate Accord, shrunk the nation’s monuments, and appointed an administrator for the Environmental Protection Agency who helps polluters at the expense of public health.
Many experts believe that Trump’s election will be the last.put the nail in the coffin” for efforts to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. As it turns out, he did. A strong request to oil company executives His latest campaign was to roll back environmental regulations in exchange.
Given that Republicans hold a majority in both the House of Representatives as well as the Senate, and a conservative Supreme Court is hostile to environmental regulations, President Trump’s anti-environmental excesses need to be checked at the state and local level. There will be.
To that end, as part of his wage plan, Second high-profile campaign against President Trump’s policiesGovernor Gavin Newsom said, called a special session of Congress To prepare your California legal defense. Newsom, Atty. General Rob Bonta and other leaders in California and like-minded states could form an important bulwark against attacks on environmental protection, just as they did eight years ago. Former State Atty. General Xavier Becerra Filed more than 100 lawsuits Opposed to the first Trump administration, many of which were related to environmental issues. There were far more wins than losses..
But California officials can’t just play defense. They should use the power and influence of the state to launch environmental attacks and counter the impending damage as much as possible.
This is what Trump’s team is expected to do. Repeal President Biden’s electric vehicle tax creditAmid such reversals, California can cement its reputation for consistency on climate policy. If the federal government backs away from these policies, the U.S. will become less competitive by ceding leadership in clean energy technology to China, Europe, and other rivals. Meanwhile, the strength and stability of the world’s fifth-largest economy make it an attractive innovation and investment partner at a time when the federal government is chaotic. This worked in California’s favor in 2019, as Ford, Honda and other automakers sidestepped the Trump administration’s efforts to loosen emissions standards. signed an agreement with CaliforniaHe cited the need for “regulatory certainty.”
“They didn’t hate Trump,” said Mary Nichols, then chair of the California Air Resources Board. “They wanted relief, but they wanted to have a discussion with people based on science and data, not ideology.”
Also strengthening California’s position is a climate and energy landscape that has changed dramatically in eight years, and President Trump’s policies are at odds with economic realities.
Electric vehicles are rapidly increasing worldwide. One in five new cars sold today is battery-poweredIt is expected that 1.7 million electric vehicles will be sold in the United States this year. 8 times more than at the beginning of Trump’s first term. More than 40% of the country’s electricity Twice as much of our energy now comes from carbon-free sources as in 2016.
The Inflation Control Act, the landmark climate law signed by Biden, sparked a boom in electric vehicles, battery manufacturing, and other clean energy technologies that unfairly benefited red states and districts. President Trump has promised to “cancel all unused funds” under the law. 18 House Republicans House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) told House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) that clean energy tax credits would “promote innovation, encourage investment, and improve economic performance” in many parts of the country, “including many districts represented by Republicans.” “It has created many jobs,” and urged that it not be abolished.
President Trump could face pressure not to renege on his pledge to reduce greenhouse gas pollution from other unanticipated sources. ExxonMobil top warned him We oppose withdrawing from the Paris Agreement because the world needs a system to control emissions.
Additionally, there are various self-imposed obstacles, including Trump’s election as EPA administrator. Former New York State Representative Lee Zeldinwhose main qualification seems to be loyalty. Mr. Zeldin’s lack of environmental experience could hamper deregulation efforts, which require considerable expertise, legal rigor, and time.
President Trump’s plan is wipe out federal career civil servants Replacing them with advocates could further undermine his ability to roll back regulations, said Ann Carlson, an environmental law professor at the University of California, Los Angeles and former acting commissioner of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. “The reality is that we can’t get anything done without good public servants,” she says.
Still, Trump could do great damage if he attacks states that are trying to address climate change. A new effort to revoke California’s exemption to set stricter vehicle emissions standards is expected. Not yet approved by Biden’s EPA.. States’ ability to respond to climate disasters is also at risk: President Trump reiterates Threatened to withhold federal aid to fight California wildfires; And his second-term Project 2025 strategy calls for dismantling the National Weather Service.
Ensuring California’s own safety will require creative new policies that allow California to stand on its own feet. This comes amid tough measures from state regulators such as the State Public Utilities Commission and Air Resources Board, as well as local governments such as the South Coast Air Quality Management District, which has long stalled efforts to tighten regulations against Southern California’s biggest polluters. means. Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach.
Local leaders like Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass will need to do more. So far, she has failed to use her control of the Port of Los Angeles to take meaningful steps to clean up dirty diesel emissions.
At a time when we can’t afford it, we face the threat of years of loss due to climate change. It’s time for state and local leaders to step up and show that despite the second Trump administration, environmentally responsible policies are still possible if we fight for them.
