Preventing An Energy Collapse Under The 2nd Trump Administration

The Trump administration aims to support the oil and gas industry. Trump’s policy mind has a track record of thwarting environmental activism, and his political allies profit from natural resources. The oil and gas industry have the same priorities, for the most part. Yellow Scene Magazine (YS) looks at the key information regarding environmental and energy policy “Trumping” into the 2025 republican enterprise. 

The American Petroleum Institute (API) published a five-point policy roadmap shortly after the 2024 presidential election. The roadmap prioritizes five ideal Trump-administration energy actions. These actions are protecting consumer choice, bolstering geopolitical strength, and leveraging natural resources) reforming our permitting system and advancing sensible tax policy. 

“Leveraging natural resources” means revoking the Biden Administration’s offshore program: 

“Unfortunately, the previous administration impeded resource development, including implementing the weakest offshore leasing program in history. A pro-American energy approach is needed to initiate a new era of federal energy leasing. Oil and natural gas production from federal lands and waters offers tremendous benefits to all and is using the highest safety and environmental standards. Given the scale of our resource base, opportunities for development stretch decades into the future.”

Permitting reform fastens faulty energy infrastructure repairs: 

“Americans can’t drive down the road without witnessing firsthand our failing infrastructure. Unfortunately, it is even worse than potholes and crumbling bridges. Burdensome regulations and government red tape have made it impossible to build anything in this country. We need smart, comprehensive permitting reform that ensures transparency, predictability, timeliness, and durability.”

Advanced “sensible tax policy” faithfully withstands American-produced energy:

“Industry investment rests on sound, predictable tax policy. With many key tax provisions expiring at the end of next year, it is critical they be extended to ensure the next chapter of our energy future is once again written here in America.”

Project 2025 And The National Picture

Some members of the oil and gas industry are more progressive than others. Not all of them care about conserving profits more than environmental justice. Some care about a balanced economy that also benefits the environment. Trump’s all-the-above energy solution supports sustainable energy sources. This republican agenda includes creating jobs, maintaining domestic supply, and boosting the economy. 

A Law360 report suggests that citizens should expect oil and gas decisions to look more like merger and acquisition (M&A) business deals. However nuanced the case may be, Trump’s agenda is to ramp up fossil fuels and resist sustainable energy emerging from the hottest year on record. 

“Just days after the election, we are already seeing big polluters emboldened by Donald Trump’s agenda to increase costly fossil fuel use and devastate our public health and our environment,” Sierra Club Executive Director Ben Jealous said in a press release. 

“Ramping up coal use would mean higher monthly costs for ratepayers, more deadly pollution in our communities, and more climate chaos, all for the sake of boosting profits for coal executives.”

The coal industry is weakening because it is an archaic model. Other sources of natural gas are more affordable. Many of the people in control of the energy industry are right-leaning conservatives — the type of people who vote for Trump because their interest is maximizing profits. The fossil fuel industry has a disproportionate financial and lobbying influence, according to AmericanProgress.org. 

This influence undermines popular views and hinders climate action proposals. With Republicans dominating all three branches of The U.S. federal government, the authors of Project 2025 intend to self-regulate the interests of conservatives. Even though Trump has distanced himself from Project 2025, his track record of deregulation will continue to put profit over people.

California And Colorado Lead The Fight to Protect The Environment

During Trump’s first presidency, California won most of its court cases to protect environmental regulations. 

“The good news for California,” said Ann Carlson, an environmental law professor and director of the Emmett Institute on Climate Change and the Environment, “is that the first Trump administration lost 83% of its court cases involving attempts to roll back environmental regulations.” Neither the Bush nor the Trump administration impeded the state’s defense of air quality and climate change. States’ rights’ survival is the fittest. 

“When the Trump administration attempted to roll back California’s standards, many major automakers chose to negotiate with the state instead to avoid the uncertainty.” Cal Matters reports.

 “The state in 2020 finalized an agreement with BMW, Ford, Honda, Volkswagen Group of America, and Volvo, which agreed to follow the state’s standards through 2026 regardless of what the federal government did.” Some major corporations care about the well-being of the American people, after all. Although, actions speak louder than words.

Colorado boasts some of the cleanest air quality in the world. But this state has more hurdles to overcome than the political powerhouse known as California. 

“Despite Colorado operators producing some of the cleanest molecules of energy in the world under stringent environmental protections,” Dan Haley, the president of the Colorado Oil and Gas Association trade group, told The Denver Gazette, “federal permit processing and leasing significantly slowed during the Biden administration, with only one lease auction held in Colorado.” 

“For far too long, federal lands in Colorado have been leased to big polluters for pennies on the dollar — often with disastrous long-term results for our climate and communities,” Conservation Colorado Executive Director Kelly Nordini stated in The Colorado Sun.

“President Biden’s order pausing this outdated practice is long overdue.” Democratic change comes out like the minimal toothpaste in a shared bathroom. Industry and local officials report that blocking the activity on federal lands responsible for a significant portion of oil and gas in the United States would devastate employment and slash government budgets.

“Colorado’s oil and gas industry understands the importance of responsible energy production and operates under some of the most stringent regulatory standards in the world,” API Colorado Director Kait Schwartz told The Denver Gazette. 

“While we support balanced federal energy policies, we will continue to lead by example by maintaining our commitment to responsible energy production.” 

The Trump Administration does not care much about sustainability. Individuals and states play a crucial role in sustaining environmental justice. Standing solidarity ensures corporations’ monetary interests do not override Mother Earth’s needs.