America is one of the countries in the world. Largest energy exporter– In terms of energy production and distribution It is considered a magical power. If you hear President Trump say It shows that the United States is weak, so weak that they declared it to be “National Energy Emergency“and be”Unleash American Energy” in a pair of executive orders that will have a far-reaching impact on how the nation conducts business.
The short version is that Trump is undoing everything Biden did and doubling down on the right-wing meme that Sarah Palin first uttered in 2008: “Drill the kid, drill it.”
The first thing that both orders do is tell a story about the world in which we live. To hear Trump say America is occupied on all sides by hostile actors and in dire need of resources. Flawless Biden impedes America's energy independence and hurts ordinary people. “In an attempt to harm the American people Hostile foreign and non-state actors have targeted our country's energy infrastructure. Increase weapons dependence on foreign energy and use their abilities to bring about dramatic changes in international commodity markets, a “national emergency,” the statement said.
America's enemies abroad, though, often target its energy infrastructure. But they're not the only ones. There is no mention in the order of many times In the past few years white supremacists It has attempted to dismantle parts of the country's electrical grid.
“The policies of the previous administration have driven our country into a national emergency. where the energy supply is unsafely and inconsistently inadequate and an increasingly unreliable electric grid. Swift and decisive action is required,” the order said. “If there is no immediate correction This situation will get much worse in the near future. This is because there is a high demand for energy and natural resources to drive the next generation of technology. The ability of the United States to be a leader in technological innovation.”
Translation: My new friends at Meta and Amazon are building data centers that require enormous amounts of power to run. and need all the help they can get. Big Tech is on its way. all in nuclearThat's true, but nuclear power takes a long time to come to fruition. In the short term, companies like Microsoft and Meta will need a steady stream of conventional supplies. puffing smoke various sources to continue providing services Trump's order will make this a little easier.
The remainder of the “National Energy Emergency” directive grants broad “emergency” powers to various government officials. with the vague goal of increasing America's energy independence. and use enormous natural resources The essence of Trump's energy policy lies in the directive. “Unleash American Energy”
same as command “National Emergency” Order to “Unleash American Energy” Filled with Right-Wing Grievances “In the past few years Burdensome and ideologically motivated regulations have hindered the development of these resources. Limiting the production of reliable and affordable electricity Reduce job creation and causing our citizens to incur high energy costs.”
The order promises to undo past harms and restore American prosperity. “This includes those men and women who have been forgotten by our economy in recent years. It will also rebuild our nation's economic and military security. which will deliver peace through strength.”
The list of incoming changes that the order will enforce is long. Here are some highlights.
Early on, the order outlined a plan to “eliminate electric vehicle (EV) regulations” and promote real consumer choice.’ Tesla and Elon Musk have made a lot of money from electric vehicle tax credits. But that income stream will end soon. And Musk's car company will have to compete on a more level playing field.
Part of this project is “Ending state greenhouse gas emissions exemptions as appropriate. which serves to limit the sale of gasoline-powered automobiles” and by considering the elimination of unfair subsidies and unintended market distortions imposed by the government. It favors electric cars over any other technology and regulates their purchase by individuals. personal business and government agencies efficiently By making other types of vehicles unaffordable.”
The next line promises to give Americans free choice when it comes to many consumer products, including light bulbs, washing machines, gas stoves and toilets. This has long been Trump's only complaint. He often talks about how today's bathrooms are not as good as before.
A ban on incandescent light bulbs hits the United States in 2023, forcing everyone to use widely hated LED lights. The order did not specifically say that Trump would bring back the old light bulbs. But that's probably what he's talking about here, and of course the order states that Americans will be free to continue using gas stoves. There has been panic among American conservatives during the Biden administration over proposed bills in some states. to stop using gas stoves instead of using electricity
The new order identifies 12 Biden-era executive orders that the commission is revoking. This includes strengthening the country's forests, communities and local economies. Protecting public health and the environment as well as restoring science to deal with the climate crisis. and rebuilding and promoting refugee resettlement programs and Planning for the impacts of climate change on migration.
The new order also disbands the American Climate Corps. Established in 2023, the American Climate Corps is an interagency joint venture that will train young people in climate and energy related jobs that will help America. Even though I didn't start much. But the dream is to have young people help install solar panels, work with the U.S. Forest Service to fight wildfires, and the like.
Now it's gone. murdered in the cradle
The order also directs government agencies to end their interest in “The social cost of carbon” How to think about climate change. Study the damage Based on the emissions of one tonne of carbon, “The calculation of the ‘social cost of carbon’ is dictated by a logical flaw. poor basis in empirical science, politics and lack of foundation in law,” the order said. “Arbitrary violations slow down regulatory decision-making. and by making the United States economy uncompetitive internationally. It will stimulate more human impacts on the environment. By enabling less efficient foreign energy producers to gain a larger share of the global energy and natural resource market.”
Government agencies have 60 days to remove the social costs of carbon from their decision-making processes.
And of course, such an order would destroy what remains of the Green New Deal. “All agencies must immediately suspend disbursement of funds appropriated through the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (Public Law 117-169) or the Investment and Infrastructure Act (Public Law 117-58), including but not limited to funds for electric car charging Stations that provide services through the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Project and funding programs to support charging and refueling infrastructure. and must examine processes, policies, and programs for issuing Grants, loans, contracts, or other financial disbursements of such appropriate funds. To be consistent with the law and policies stated in Section 2 of this Order.”
Trump and his team seem to really hate electric cars.
There is more to both orders than that. And there's more. These are just some highlights to give us a broad idea. What will America's energy future look like? It seems like the old fossil fuels are gone, government-backed economic incentives are gone, and America will soon be free of the tyranny of low-flow toilets. The consequences be damned.