President-elect Donald Trump has a long list of big promises to keep on Day 1 in the Oval Office — from launching the largest mass deportation operation in U.S. history to ending the Russia-Ukraine war. When it comes to Trump’s pledge to unwind the Biden administration’s climate agenda and dramatically boost fossil fuel production, there are some balls he can get rolling on Monday and others that will inevitably take time and congressional buy-in, writes Scott Waldman. Here’s a reality check on some of Trump’s favorite energy promises: No EV for you
Trump promised to end the Biden administration’s “electric vehicle mandate” on Day 1. While President Joe Biden never issued an EV mandate per se, he did set up a suite of policies to encourage EV adoption. Without Congress, Trump can’t repeal Democrats’ major climate law (which includes a $7,500 EV consumer credit). But he could work to undo related regulations, such as those intended to curtail tailpipe pollution. However, that process will take time. Ending the “Biden-Harris war on energy”
This promise is a big one, and encompasses a host of actions intended to ease restrictions on fossil fuel development. The major caveat here is that the U.S. oil industry actually saw record production — and profits — under the Biden administration and may not have an appetite to pump more. Still, Trump could work to unwind Biden rules aimed at cutting methane and power plant pollution — a lengthy process that will inevitably invite legal attack. Tariffs for all
Trump has promised tariffs on all imports, including a 25 percent tax on all goods coming from Mexico and Canada, including oil. Congress has given the president greater authority to impose tariffs. So the pledge to slap tariffs on our neighbors could get Trump’s Day 1 signature. If Trump signs off on a tariff on Canadian oil, or Canada retaliates by exporting less hydropower to the U.S., the move could jack up electricity and gasoline costs. That would undercut Trump’s promise to lower U.S. energy bills. Plus, Trump’s mass deportation plan could decimate a labor pool the oil industry has already complained is too shallow. We’ll always have Paris ... until we don’t
Trump has promised to exit the Paris climate agreement. This one is fairly doable — accomplishable with a Day 1 executive order — and its consequences far-reaching. The withdrawal means the U.S. would be off the hook for meeting the nation’s goal of cutting greenhouse gas emissions 66 percent by 2035 and sending climate aid to developing countries — a major step backward in the fight to preserve a livable planet.
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