This story was originally appeared in vox is part of climate desk collaboration.
between him, campaignPresident-elect Donald Trump had a sharp catchphrase for energy policy:Drill, baby, drill”
This statement symbolizes where President Trump plans to focus his efforts in his second term. America’s “Energy Advantage” and all From “new pipeline” to “new refiner” It increases fossil fuel production.
This approach marks a clear shift from the Biden administration, where the U.S. has focused more on oil and gas production than attempting to transition to clean energy sources. In addition to touting the need to increase fossil fuel production, President Trump has downplayed subsidies for clean energy investments, calling for:end[ing]” funds allocated for those subsidies in the Inflation Control Act. His position ignores the role that fossil fuel burning has played in climate change and could do great damage to U.S. efforts to address the problem.
Several of his nominations are indicative of these goals. he Chris Wright named oil industry executive— a evangelist of hydraulic fracturing — becomes head of the Department of Energy. His name is Doug Burgum, Governor of North Dakota. Linked President Trump to oil company executives During the campaign, he served donors as the leader of the Interior Department and as the “Energy Czar.” He also hired former president Lee Zeldin. emphasized efforts to deregulate-As Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
However, there are limits to what the government can control. President Trump may take notable steps to increase fossil fuel production, but whether oil and gas extraction actually increases will depend largely on economic conditions in the private sector and industry.
Still, President Trump has important policy tools he can use to promote fossil fuel production, although he faces some constraints. Wright, Burgum and Zeldin also signaled they are ready to implement the president-elect’s vision, including changes to drilling on public lands and faster permitting for oil and gas projects.
“President Trump and his energy team, Mr. Burgum, Mr. Wright and Mr. Zeldin, can go to great lengths to make expanding production attractive and relatively easy,” said Professor of Environmental Policy at the University of Michigan. Barry Raab told Vox.
How can President Trump increase fossil fuel production?
President Trump has two important tools available to him to increase fossil fuel production. One is that more public lands and waters can be opened up for exploration, development, and mining. Second, it can ease the regulatory processes that govern fossil fuel initiatives.
President Trump could further expand oil and gas leases on public lands
As president, Trump will oversee the Department of the Interior, which includes the Bureau of Land Management and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. a significant portion of the country’s public lands And water. He will also oversee the Agriculture Department, which includes the Forest Service, another agency that oversees some public lands.
The Bureau of Land Management, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, and the Forest Service are the three main organizations that issue oil and gas leases in public spaces. these lease It effectively allows fossil fuel companies to lease parcels of public land from the federal government so they can extract resources from those areas. Once land is designated as available for lease, the lease is typically auctioned to the highest bidder.
