On Tuesday, Donald Trump signed an executive order that launched an attack on the Clean Action Plan. Implemented by former U.S. President Barack Obama, the plan regulates power plants in 47 states. It aims to reduce carbon emission 32 percent by 2030. The policy also ceases the prohibition of selling coal-mining leases on federal lands. Each state has its own goals set based on its current needs. The executive order Trump has signed challenges a commitment the U.S. must declare to the Paris agreement.
The president traveled all the way to the Environmental Protection Agency to tamper with some of America’s most pertinent safeguards to the environment.
He has now ordered EPA chief, Scott Pruitt, to begin reviewing how to dismantle the plan. Pruitt and Trump have both scrutinized the Paris agreement involving nearly 200 countries. An administration official announced on Monday, “In terms of the Paris agreement, whether we stay in or not is still under discussion.”
Eco-friendly voices
Energy experts and leaders from both the Democratic and Republican parties are speaking out against the measures Donald Trump has taken. They understand the executive order seeks to dismember the Clean Power Plan. Each party strongly believes that the plan is America’s first limits set on dangerous carbon pollution ever. They’re calling it an action leading the U.S.
backwards to a time of excessive pollution instead of into the future to a clean energy economy.
Trump’s views, pledges, and promises
The president has ridiculed the Clean Power Plan in the past. Along with other regulations, Trump thinks it’s placing a burden on America’s employment rate and coal industry. They both currently face a competitive market when it comes to solar, wind and natural gas.
Trump attended an event last week and addressed that he had already eliminated some regulations. He asserted that the new executive order would go continue to be implemented.
He praised coal miners in attendance with him at the EPA. He acknowledged their strife over the past two years as he pledged a future of clean coal. He stated, “I made them this promise.
We will put our miners back to work. Today I’m putting an end to the war on coal.”
The executive order also lifts prohibition on the sale of new coal leases just like the Clean Power Plan. It will also remove restrictions on energy production and return power to the states.
