As his second term begins, President Donald Trump has made new changes focused on the attention of fossil fuels and natural energy in America, with the primary goal of undoing measures passed during former President Joe Biden’s term. With these executive orders, Trump targets economic and nationalist issues in his approach to climate change and makes America more energy independent. His plan differs from past presidencies, including Biden’s, which worked more on reducing emissions and pollution.All information comes from The White House’s official website, Northeastern Global News, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, NPR, and Columbia Law School. While Trump plans to make more executive orders throughout his second term, these are the most prominent ones that have been issued to date.
Jan. 20, 2025: Trump declared a National Energy Emergency and signed “Unleashing American Energy,” an executive order which works to undo the regulations put into place by the Biden administration on America’s energy and natural resources, encouraging energy exploration and rebuilding economic and national security. He also passed an executive order, “Putting America First in International Environmental Agreements,” to withdraw from the Paris Agreement. Trump did this to limit America’s financial contributions to other countries concerning climate change. Trump signed “Unleash Alaska’s Extraordinary Resource Potential,” which allows oil and gas drilling on Alaskan land previously restricted by the Biden administration.
Jan. 24, 2025: Trump signed an executive order calling for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reassessment. FEMA’s goal is to support the citizens and first responders before and after a disaster. Trump plans to reassess FEMA because of the federal responses to Hurricane Helena, as well as other recent disasters and rumored political bias that FEMA participates in. Trump wants state and local governments to have more of an impact on disaster preparations, rather than granting FEMA that power.
Feb. 14, 2025: Trump signed an executive order to create a new “National Energy Dominance Council.” The council members are composed of Trump’s cabinet members and government agencies. Their primary role is to assist Trump in making America more energy-dominant and excel in its use of energy by expanding and exporting energy production.