By Johanna Kingsfield – Analyst, Pickering Energy Partners
The views expressed by the author are their own and do not represent the views of Energy Workforce & Technology Council.
On March 12th, the EPA launched the largest single body of deregulatory actions in United States history. EPA Commissioner Lee Zeldin stated, “Alongside President Trump, we are living up to our promises to unleash American energy, lower costs for Americans, revitalize the American auto industry, and work hand-in-hand with our state partners to advance our shared mission.” The goal is to lower the costs of purchasing a car, heating your home, and operating a business. In return, this should also help promote manufacturing industries and create more American jobs.
The Trump Administration signed three executive orders aimed at reducing regulatory burdens and foster a pro-US energy stance. They include Declaring a National Energy Emergency, Putting America First in International Environmental Agreements, and Unleashing American Energy. Beneficiaries of the national emergency declaration include accelerating stalled projects tied to infrastructure, energy, environmental, and natural resource projects. There is also a push for increased approval for energy projects tied to leasing, transportation, refining, and generation of domestic energy resources.
Unleashing American Energy includes similar deregulatory acts. Review of existing regulations on resources which requires agency heads to review all existing regulations that impose an undue burden on the identification, development, or use of domestic energy resources and domestic mining and processing. President Trump also ordered for the termination of American Climate Corps and dismemberment of the Interagency Working Group on the Social Cost of Greenhouse Gases. In addition, it ordered NEPA and other permitting reviews to strictly adhere to only the relevant legislated requirements for environmental considerations (The Council on Environmental Quality must propose rescinding its NEPA regulations as well). The order also includes the acceleration of energy transportation and infrastructure permitting (including pipelines) along with an immediate pause of the IRA and IIJA (Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act) funds. The administration has also enacted the approval review to be restarted for LNG export projects that were paused under the Biden Administration.
Also, it is important to note that Congress voted to eliminate the Waste Emission Charge, or “WEC,” which has been formally repealed with President Trump’s signature on March 14th. In addition, the EPA is currently reviewing Subpart W (OOOO b/c) regulation along with the Endangerment Finding 2009, which underpins all GHG and climate related rules. The GHG Reporting Rule deadline has been extended to May 30th from the typical due date of March 31st, while it is also being reviewed by the EPA. On January 20th, 2025, the administration also instituted a regulatory freeze on the SEC Climate Disclosure Rule.
With this federal deregulation, operators will need to focus on state regulations. While these important policies have removed a great deal of regulatory “red tape,” it is critical that the energy industry stay the course and remain diligent regarding emissions measurement, reporting, and verification. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to the Consulting Team at Pickering Energy Partners!
Energy Workforce partner Pickering Energy Partners provides insights on ESG due diligence, disclosures and reporting. Johanna Kingsfield, Analyst, Pickering Energy Partners.
