Executive Order on Energy Independence
- President Trump signed an executive order last week that calls for a dramatic shift in policy to provide energy security, job growth, and economic prosperity.
- Breaking down barriers to responsible domestic energy development will benefit all Americans.
- This executive order builds on the Senate’s oversight of the Obama administration’s war on fossil fuels.
On March 28, President Trump signed an executive order promoting American energy independence. It calls for a shift away from the destructive regulations issued under the Obama administration. The goal will be to provide energy security, job growth, and economic prosperity. The order directs federal agencies to review policies that impede energy production, and make recommendations to modify or rescind those that unjustifiably threaten energy independence.
Many of the actions specified in the executive order are examples of Washington’s overreach – agencies acting outside of their authority and trampling on policy areas that states have effectively managed. Actions targeted by the order impose significant costs on Americans, undermine the country’s ability to be energy independent, and provide few environmental benefits.
Obama Regulatory Overreach |
Trump Executive Order |
EPA’s “Clean Power Plan”: The Environmental Protection Agency set unattainable carbon dioxide limits for power plants. Implementation could cost $39 billion a year and increase electricity prices by double digits in 41 states. 1.) Standards for existing power plants
2.) Standards for new, modified, and reconstructed power plants
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Directs the EPA administrator to review and, if appropriate, suspend, revise, or rescind:
Directs the EPA administrator to notify the attorney general of any actions taken by the EPA related to the rules above, so that the Department of Justice can provide notice to any court with jurisdiction over pending litigation related to those rules. The attorney general may request that the court stay the litigation, delay it or seek appropriate relief. |
EPA’s methane rule on oil and gas sources: The EPA imposed unnecessary methane emission limits on new, reconstructed, and modified oil and gas sources.
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Directs the EPA administrator to review and, if appropriate, suspend, revise, or rescind the final rule entitled “Oil and Natural Gas Sector: Emissions Standards for New, Reconstructed, and Modified Sources” Directs the EPA administrator to notify the attorney general of any actions taken by the EPA related to the rule above so that the Department of Justice can provide notice to any court with jurisdiction over pending litigation related to the rule. The attorney general may request that the court stay the litigation, delay it or seek appropriate relief. |
BLM oil and gas rules: The Obama administration sought to discourage oil and gas production on federal and Indian lands through new rules. 1.) Hydraulic fracturing rule
2.) Venting and flaring (methane) rule
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Directs the interior secretary to review and, if appropriate, suspend, revise, or rescind the:
Directs the secretary of the interior to notify the attorney general of any actions taken by the secretary related to the rules above, so that the Department of Justice can provide notice to any court with jurisdiction over pending litigation related to those rules. The attorney general may request that the court stay the litigation, delay it or seek appropriate relief. |
BLM coal leasing moratorium: In January 2016, Interior Secretary Sally Jewell imposed a moratorium on the leasing of coal on federal lands.
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Directs the interior secretary to lift the coal leasing moratorium on federal lands. |
OMB social cost of greenhouse gases estimates: The Obama Office of Management and Budget created the Interagency Working Group on Social Cost of Greenhouse Gases, which established a government wide estimate for the “social cost” of emitting a ton of CO2, methane, and nitrous oxide.
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Disbands the IWG and withdraws a number of its technical and supporting documents.
Also, directs federal agencies to ensure that estimates of the monetary value of changes in greenhouse gas emissions comply with OMB Circular A-4. |
CEQ greenhouse gas guidance: In August 2016, the Obama Council on Environmental Quality directed federal agencies to assess the greenhouse gas and climate change impacts of “major federal actions” – such as granting permits and rights-of-way – that require an environmental impact statement under the National Environmental Policy Act. |
Directs the CEQ to rescind the NEPA GHG guidance. |
Climate action executive orders: President Obama issued numerous executive orders related to climate change that are unnecessary, unjustified, and were issued for political reasons. These include:
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Repeals all of these climate change executive orders and actions by President Obama. |
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