There are only two months left for the US presidential election and if Donald Trump is elected, he can bring four big changes in climate and energy policies.

In his campaign, Trump has emphasized that he supports significant changes to U.S. energy policy, with an emphasis on fossil fuels, extensive regulatory rollbacks, and cuts to renewable energy policies.

Speaking to reporters in a call organised by the campaign, Trump’s former Interior Department Secretary David Bernhardt said the former president would “immediately stop all of the Biden-Harris policies that have distorted energy markets, limited consumer choice, and raised costs on consumers since day one”.

Let’s take a look at four major changes to climate policies that Trump is planning to introduce.

Emphasis on the fossil fuel industry

Trump’s campaign has emphasized a “return” to fossil fuel dominance. Trump has claimed the U.S. has the largest oil reserves of any country. But according to a Brookings report, oil reserves rank somewhere between ninth and 11th, and in terms of natural gas, the U.S. ranks fourth or fifth in the world.

Trump’s proposals include increasing domestic production and replenishing the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. He also plans to end President Joe Biden’s delays in federal drilling permits and leasing on federal lands to boost oil and natural gas production.

In April this year, the US Environmental Protection Agency finalised rules that will force coal plants and new natural gas-fired generators to either adopt technology that controls nearly all of their emissions or shut them down over the coming decade.

Bernhardt told reporters that as president, Trump would overturn regulations and “get coal country working again so all Americans can have access to affordable energy.” He also said Trump would implement faster approvals for energy projects and the construction of new power plants.

inflation

While rising prices of energy and other commodities were a significant factor in inflation, other important factors included persistent supply chain disruptions, which increased the cost of goods and services, and tightness in the US labor market.

Trump has repeatedly said he would eliminate EV subsidies, calling it one of the “stupidest” decisions he has ever seen. It is unclear what other provisions Trump might try to eliminate. Any changes to the act would require the approval of the US Congress.

The Biden administration passed the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) to reduce carbon pollution by the largest amount in US history in 2022. It includes more than $340 billion in tax credits to help the US move towards clean energy like solar and wind.

paris agreement

Trump once again intends to withdraw from the Paris Agreement, describing it as a “betrayal of the United States” and “a disaster” in his debate with Biden on June 28.

according to a brookings According to the report, there is talk of the US withdrawing from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which would exclude the US from participating in global climate negotiations and make it more difficult for a future administration to rejoin the Paris Agreement.

Electric Vehicles

Trump’s campaign officially opposes Biden’s electric vehicle subsidies and vehicle efficiency regulations, arguing they are harmful to the auto industry and that electric vehicles are “all made in China” (not true). He promises to repeal these policies to protect American auto workers and the traditional car market.

Transportation will account for the largest share (28%) of total US greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in 2022, with cars and trucks producing the most emissions. In March, President Biden imposed limits on pollution from automobile tailpipes, prompting car manufacturers to expand production of electric and hybrid vehicles.