Trump Dismantles Biden’s Climate Policies, Favors Oil & Gas

Trump Dismantles Biden’s Climate Policies, Favors Oil & Gas \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ President Donald Trump declared a national energy emergency, rolling back climate policies and accelerating fossil fuel development. His orders weaken environmental reviews, expand oil drilling, and suspend renewable energy projects. Democrats call it a political power grab, warning it will increase emissions and slow renewable energy growth.

Trump’s Energy Emergency: Quick Looks

• Trump declared a national energy emergency to expand oil, gas, and coal projects.
• Environmental reviews weakened to speed up fossil fuel development.
• Pause on liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports lifted, boosting U.S. energy exports.
• Oil drilling expanded, reversing protections for sensitive environmental areas.
• The Army Corps may fast-track fossil fuel projects, bypassing the Clean Water Act.
• Federal workforce slashed, cutting environmental and regulatory expertise.
• Endangered Species Act weakened, allowing projects to proceed despite ecological risks.
• Renewable energy stalled, with wind and solar incentives removed.

Deep Look

Trump Rolls Back Climate Policies on Day One

President Donald Trump wasted no time in reversing Biden-era climate policies, declaring a national energy emergency aimed at expanding fossil fuel production. The declaration calls for aggressive oil and gas development, loosens environmental regulations, and effectively shifts U.S. energy policy away from renewables.

Trump summed up his policy shift with a familiar rallying cry:

“Drill, baby, drill.”

The move is part of a broader effort by Trump and Republican lawmakers to dismantle climate-focused policies and prioritize fossil fuels over renewable energy.

Fossil Fuel Expansion and Environmental Rollbacks

Lifting the LNG Export Pause

Under President Biden, the administration paused approvals for new liquefied natural gas (LNG) export terminals, citing environmental concerns. The pause was meant to evaluate the long-term climate impact of exporting more natural gas.

Trump immediately reversed this decision, allowing projects to move forward.

• Shell estimates global LNG demand will rise by 60% by 2040.
• The U.S. is projected to double LNG export capacity before 2030.
• Energy investors now feel more confident about moving forward without regulatory concerns.

“Investors have become much more comfortable that they can move towards final investment decisions,” said Christopher Treanor, an energy attorney at Akin.

Expanding Oil & Gas Drilling

Trump also opened more federal land and offshore areas for oil and gas drilling.

• Biden had restricted drilling in environmentally sensitive areas, including Alaska’s National Wildlife Refuge.
• Trump reversed those restrictions, opening millions of acres for leases.
• Environmental groups have filed lawsuits to block expanded leasing.

However, increasing available leases does not guarantee immediate production. A previous Arctic drilling lease sale under Trump’s first term failed to attract major buyers.

Fast-Tracking Fossil Fuel Projects

The Army Corps of Engineers is now reviewing ways to speed up permits for fossil fuel projects.

• Hundreds of Clean Water Act permits were flagged for fast-tracking.
• Environmental advocates warn this could allow projects to bypass water protections.
• Even non-energy projects, like Chevron’s housing subdivision in California, could benefit from the rule changes.

“They are just going to refine the list,” said Tom Pelton of the Environmental Integrity Project.

Critics say Trump’s national energy emergency is being used as a pretext to weaken environmental protections while falsely claiming the U.S. has an energy shortage.

Deep Cuts to Federal Agencies & Protections

Slashing the Environmental Workforce

Trump has directed deep staff cuts across federal agencies.

• At a cabinet meeting, Trump told the EPA director to fire two-thirds of staff.
• Experts warn this will cripple the government’s ability to protect public health.

“No administration has been able to do what Trump is doing—destroying the institutional capacity of the government,” said Pat Parenteau, professor emeritus at Vermont Law School.

With regulatory expertise gutted, agencies like the EPA and Fish & Wildlife Service will struggle to enforce environmental laws.

Endangered Species Act Weakened

Trump’s energy emergency order calls for removing protections under the Endangered Species Act that delay fossil fuel projects.

• A rarely used committee—nicknamed the “God Squad”—could override conservation protections.
• Conservationists warn that some species could go extinct due to accelerated energy projects.

Trump’s Attack on Renewable Energy

Trump has taken direct aim at renewable energy, blocking development in several ways:

• Suspended offshore wind lease sales in federal waters.
• Paused federal permits and loan approvals for wind and solar projects.
• Removed solar and wind from a federal energy resource list.
• Vowed to eliminate renewable energy tax credits.

Trump’s pro-coal, pro-gas stance could delay the transition to clean energy, keeping the U.S. dependent on fossil fuels for decades.

“Trump’s policies will drive up emissions and make international climate goals harder to achieve,” said energy analyst David Shepheard.

Energy Demand Growing, But Renewables Slowed

• Electricity demand is surging due to AI data centers and industrial growth.
• Solar is the fastest-growing electricity source in the U.S., yet Trump omitted it from his energy plans.
• Blocking renewables could force utilities to extend coal plant lifespans and build new gas plants instead.

The global consulting firm Baringa found that Trump’s policies will:

• Increase U.S. emissions.
• Slow renewable energy adoption.
• Make international climate agreements harder to meet.

What Comes Next?

• Democrats in the Senate introduced a resolution to end Trump’s energy emergency, but Republicans control the chamber, making it largely symbolic.
• Environmental groups are preparing legal challenges to stop drilling and fast-tracked fossil fuel projects.
• The House is voting to repeal Biden’s methane fee, which was designed to limit greenhouse gas pollution.

As Trump continues to reshape U.S. energy policy, the battle between fossil fuel expansion and climate action is far from over.

More on US News

Trump Dismantles Biden’s Trump Dismantles Biden’s