Trump ends 'electric vehicle mandate,' withdraws US from Paris climate agreement
WASHINGTON ― President-elect Donald Trumpdeclared a "national energy emergency" as part of a suite of Day 1 executive orders and other actions Monday aimed at carrying out his long-promised "drill, baby, drill" agenda on American fossil fuels.
The orders include eliminating the so-called "electric vehicle mandate," Trump's phrase for a Environmental Protection Agency rule that required auto manufacturers to cut greenhouse gas emissions by half in new light- and medium-duty vehicles beginning in 2027.
The EPA has estimated the rule would force auto manufacturers to build electric vehicles for about 30% to 56% of their new light-duty vehicles by 2032 and 20% to 32% of new medium duty vehicles.
Trump also signed an order withdrawing the U.S. from the Paris Climate agreement, which former President Joe Biden had re-joined after his election four years ago.
"The United States will not sabotage our own industries while China pollutes with impunity," Trump said during a ceremony at Capitol One Arena, where he signed multiple orders in front of roaring supporters. The actions included revoking 78 Biden-era actions.
By calling a national emergency on energy, Trump is making it the priority of his administration to increase the domestic production of oil and other forms of fossil-fuel energy, White House officials said. It comes as U.S. crude oil production has already hit an all-time high over the past year.
Inauguration live updates:Follow for the latest updates on Donald Trump's inauguration
Another executive order from Trump will reopen drilling in parts of Alaska after Biden took action to limit both oil and gas drilling and mining in the state. The scope of the Alaska order wasn't immediately clear.
Trump has promised to work to overturn Biden's recent action to ban offshore drilling on the Atlantic and Pacific coast.
In other actions, Trump implemented a freeze on creating new federal regulations and a separate freeze on hiring new federal workers. He also directed federal employees to return to in-person work.
Trump, who campaigned on lowering costs for consumers, also signed a presidential memorandum on inflation, which White House officials said would begin an "all of government approach" to bring down consumer prices.
Comments