Coalition for Clean Air’s Post

A key question for all of us in this line of work and a terrifying glimpse into a second-term #Trump dystopia in the context of #cleanenergy and #environment. This reads like a step-by-step #Republican roadmap for dismantling many of Biden's big #climate wins. Oh my *GOD* are the next six months going to be a bumpy ride. --- “If you care about the planet you need to understand that the presidency is everything, and Republicans are not being unclear about what they want to do,” said Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), a leading climate hawk. “They are aggressively, proudly and explicitly anti-clean energy and that’s what this election is going to be about.” One potential reason for Democratic nervousness would be Wheeler’s persona as a capable, no-thrills technocrat. Unlike the stream of scandals that plagued Trump’s first #EPA leader, former Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt, #Wheeler didn’t generate headlines by installing a $43,000 phone booth in his office, dwelling in a lobbyist’s Capitol Hill condo or ordering his staff to shop for a used mattress from Trump’s Washington hotel. Instead, Wheeler used his longtime experience navigating EPA #regulations as an industry #lobbyist and top #congressionalaide to undo as many of the #Obama administration’s #climatepolicies as he could. Some Republicans in Congress are eager to see him succeed in doing the same for Biden’s trademark regulations..." https://lnkd.in/eEmnrEi9

A good piece in Forbes outlining the new U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission rule on #GHG emission reporting and the 3-2 vote in favor. As is the new norm, the article also outlines the likely multi-year, next phase: litigation. The article hints at how States will defend the inalienable rights of citizens to self govern and likely delay this rule. While the rule is certain to face legal challenges, I am curious when exactly our one planet's future became political. A book by historian Paul Milazzo titled Unlikely Environmentalists: Congress and Clean Water, 1955-1972 - outlines the story of the 1972 Clean Water Act. I encourage you to read it. We need a better congress today with these same "Unlikely Environmentalists." Each voter should consider how angry Mother Earth really is right now, go visit shorelines in Maine, New York, Miami and walk the scorched earth and devestated forests in Hawaii and California. Hear from your fellow citizens with uninsured homes and listen to the brokers from insurance companies who have abandoned hope in these States, and left them. Instead of listening to the normal reactionary talking points from both sides and bobbleheads that will repeat the extremes...we must all slow down and take a breath. We live in the greatest country on this earth. Be grateful for our clean air and clean water. Then choose a future with or without the clean air you breathe. Go visit Bejing. Monitor the air by app before you choose to step outside. All voters should consider the consequences of climate-change-denying legislators and vote accordingly. https://lnkd.in/ev8xbDQe

We are seeing a lot of federal agency rules being finalized under the Biden administration regarding climate, clean energy, public health, and transportation. However, once a rule is finalized, there's a tool called the Congressional Review Act (CRA) that allows Congress to override the rule--even if the rule is based on science and critical to the protection of public health and the environment.

Climate reporting legislation in California has run into a barrier. The US Chamber of Commerce and others have filed suit to strike down the laws (SB 253 and SB 261) on First Amendment grounds. The state may now have to pay lawyers to defend its position despite the fact that the legislation did not provide any funding. The legislation could have been better if it: (1) provided implementation funding to the state's Air Resources Board, (2) had a longer implementation timeline, and (3) had been limited to companies incorporated in California rather than all those who have a large nexus to the state. https://lnkd.in/gEP-cBcD

Donald Trump won a second presidential term from American voters. His first term was marked, among other things, by attempts to water down environmental laws and regulations aimed at the auto industry. And as a candidate in 2024, Trump has promised plenty of disruption to the sector through both trade policy and an abrogation of the government's commitment to fight climate change. Here are some of the more significant changes we think are coming.

The U.S. Supreme Court is facing a wave of emergency appeals this year, many on the so-called "shadow docket" where critical decisions are made without full briefings or arguments. When Congress passes poorly written legislation the inevitable consequence is to clog up the nations’ courts. If we want to see real, lasting action on climate change, we can’t rely on the courts to fix legislative mistakes. At Bipartisan Climate Fund, we’re supporting members of Congress who work to get it right the first time, focusing on smart, bipartisan legislation that leaves far less room for misinterpretation. https://lnkd.in/eXZSTtP8? 

This is the time to think about prevention, how do we prepare for what is to come and minimize the impact this new presidency can cause.

In a controversial move, President-elect Donald Trump has appointed former Congressman Lee Zeldin to lead the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), signaling a shift toward less restrictive environmental rules that, according to Trump, will “unleash the power of American businesses.” Zeldin is expected to roll back Biden-era limits on pollution from power plants and vehicles and reduce clean energy funding from the Inflation Reduction Act. Trump’s quick nomination of Zeldin highlights his commitment to reducing government oversight on industry. The decision has drawn mixed reactions: environmental advocates, like Sierra Club’s Ben Jealous, warn it could threaten public health and put corporate interests ahead of communities, while some Republicans view Zeldin as a moderate who might balance energy production with environmental protections. Zeldin may also curb California’s ability to enforce stricter environmental standards, which have influenced other states. Trump and advisers, including Elon Musk, have also proposed downsizing government agencies and relocating federal jobs from Washington. This is a pivotal moment for U.S. environmental policy, with the future of climate regulations and clean energy funding at stake. #EPANews #ClimateCrisis #NewEarthVoices

CAN YOU IMAGINE DEMOCRATS CONTROLLING THERMOSTATS AND FUEL PUMPS. ?

Crowell & Moring’s Tom Lorenzen comments on the Biden administration releasing a number of new rules in the last year of the president’s term. Read more in NOTUS: