In a stark pivot from the Biden administration's emphasis on clean energy, officials under the second Trump presidency have signaled an aggressive push toward conventional energy sources, regulatory rollbacks, and a restructuring of federal environmental oversight. Speaking during a webinar hosted by Venable, partner Dick Powers, head of Venable's Energy Practice Group, emphasized the administration's commitment to "energy dominance," aiming to bolster American oil, gas, and coal production while reducing reliance on renewables like wind and solar. The administration's first executive orders have already paused funding for clean energy programs and called for a sweeping review of environmental regulations, setting the stage for a contentious legislative and legal battle.
Venable partner Fred Wagner said it was "truly hard to overstate what's going to happen," Wagner said, noting that agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of the Interior will see deep staffing cuts alongside aggressive deregulation. The administration has directed agencies to review all rules that "unduly burden" conventional energy development, while also instructing the attorney general to ensure legal interpretations align with White House policy. Meanwhile, Congress is expected to wield the Congressional Review Act to roll back key regulations from the Biden era, including methane emissions standards and clean energy subsidies. Thus, the impact on the federal agencies overseeing energy and environmental policy could be significant.
Senior policy advisor Richard Ward highlighted the immense challenge of managing skyrocketing energy demand while navigating regulatory shifts under the Trump administration. "We're at a real crossroads here, as policymakers have to deal with these issues," Ward said, pointing to the rapid growth of artificial intelligence and data centers as key drivers of increased electricity consumption. He emphasized that while the administration is focused on expanding conventional energy sources, Congress will play a crucial role in shaping long-term policies, particularly regarding offshore drilling, permitting reform, and infrastructure development. "You're going to see Republicans in Congress do as much as they can to codify these objectives," Ward added, noting efforts to make regulatory rollbacks more permanent to prevent future administrations from reversing them.
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