Scientists are now using satellites to count elephants from space
January 22, 2021
As it happened: Biden boost drives ASX to 1.3% weekly gain
January 22, 2021
After less than a month in office, President Biden has already made climate change a priority across the federal government and started working to overturn more than 100 environmental actions taken by the Trump administration.
Pledged to double offshore wind capacity by 2030, Jan. 27
In the past week alone, the president has blocked a policy easing companies’ liability for killing birds from taking effect and paused any new roadbuilding in Tongass National Forest’s protected areas. He’s also gone well beyond reversing the policies of President Donald Trump, signing an executive order directing his deputies to assess how climate change is fueling migration worldwide and develop proposals to leverage foreign aid to curb global warming’s worst impacts on poor nations.
“In my view, we’ve already waited too long to deal with this climate crisis. We can’t wait any longer,” Biden told reporters last month. “We see it with our own eyes. We feel it. We know it in our bones and it’s time to act.”
And officials across the U.S. government have started putting his most sweeping environmental executive orders, such as the one on Jan. 27 elevating climate change in national security and domestic policy, into action. On Feb. 4, for example, the Interior Department’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management canceled an upcoming lease sale off Alaska’s south central coast on the grounds that it violated his moratorium on new federal oil and gas leasing.
Kristen Monsell, legal director of the Center for Biological Diversity’s Oceans program, said halting the Cook Inlet auction is “a really encouraging sign that the Biden administration is honoring its promise to end dirty, dangerous offshore oil leasing,” which will protect the area’s endangered beluga whales.
Those initial moves are the first in what promises to be a much longer — and more arduous — effort to unwind the Trump administration’s sweeping environmental and energy policies, which were marked by aggressive deregulation, prioritizing the fossil fuels industry and sidelining efforts to combat climate change or protect imperiled animals.
Trump worked to scale back or abolish more than 200 environmental protections in just a single term, according to a Washington Post analysis, completing more than 170 of them. Biden can overturn some of them with a stroke of a pen. Others will take years to undo, and some may never be reversed. Four Obama-era regulations were nullified under the Congressional Review Act, which prevents the introduction of a new rule that is “substantially the same” as what had been replaced, making Trump’s actions particularly hard to reverse.
The majority of Trump’s rollbacks affect air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions linked to climate change, though 27 affect wildlife and 23 relate to infrastructure and planning. Though Biden is unlikely to target every one of his predecessor’s environmental actions, dozens of them are already in his sights.
Air pollution and greenhouse gases
4 new protections added
Status of Trump’s rollbacks: 2 overturned 22 targeted 39 not yet targeted
The Trump administration enacted at least 64 policies weakening or overturning regulations aimed at curbing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions fueling global warming. Biden has said he will reverse that legacy and promote a low-carbon future instead. By signing a document to rejoin the Paris climate agreement on his first day in office, the new president reversed one of his predecessor’s signature policies and signaled a different path.
Biden suedBiden action challenged in court
Trump suedTrump action challenged in court
Policy put in place by Biden administration
Can be reversed by a simple act, such as signing an executive order or new directive
Can be reversed only through more extensive action, such as rewriting a regulation or court ruling
Can only be reversed through a lengthy regulatory process, act of Congress or court ruling
Instructed the Secretary of the Treasury to assess climate risk and work with other agencies to align U.S. spending — including foreign aid — with the nation’s climate goals Read more »
Instructed the Secretary of Agriculture to develop a plan within 90 day to spur ‘climate-smart’ strategies in farming and forestry. Read more »
Mandated the government buy clean and zero-emission vehicles for its fleet, including federal, state and tribal vehicles Read more »
Ordered national security agencies to deliver a report within 90 days on how they will integrate climate change into their work Read more »
Biden ordered the Secretary of State to submit the Kigali Amendment, phasing out hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), to the Senate for ratification Read more »
Trump withdrew the United States from the 2015 Paris climate agreement, but Biden rejoined it on his first day in office Read more »
Instructs Interior Department scientists to use all climate models, including ones suggesting fewer impacts Read more »
Proposal would allow manufacturers to use alternative standards to test small-motor efficiency Read more »
The Energy Department has delayed updating 25 energy-efficiency rules Read more »
Rescinded policy curbing pollutants power plants can emit during startup, shutdown and malfunctions Read more »
Repealed the Obama-era plan to curb greenhouse gas emissions from power plants Read more »
Would grant coal ash disposal permits without review to some state and tribal sites Read more »
Changing testing for heavy-duty vehicles and engines that could lead to higher CO2 emissions Read more »
Proposed reversing a requirement that plant owners get a pollution permit for expanded operations Read more »
Instructs Interior scientists to use several climate models, including ones projecting fewer impacts Read more »
Unsuccessful effort to rework a rule on hydrofluorocarbons, potent greenhouse gases Read more »
Revoked California’s waiver to regulate air pollution under the Clean Air Act Read more »
Weakened an Obama-era rule meant to improve air quality in national parks and wilderness areas Read more »
Lifted the summertime ban on a gasoline-ethanol blend linked to smog formation Read more »
Allowed states, tribes and localities more flexibility in complying with limits on smog-forming ozone Read more »
Proposal would change how anticipated pollution from a new facility is calculated Read more »
Dismantled the federal advisory panel for the National Climate Assessment Read more »
Reversed an Obama-era policy that restricted U.S. financing of coal-fired power plants abroad Read more »
Stopped payments to the Green Climate Fund, which helps poor nations address climate change Read more »
Withdrew guidance directing agencies to include carbon emissions in environmental reviews Read more »
Disbanded the panel that formulates the social cost of carbon Read more »
Repealed an Obama-era rule making lightbulbs more efficient Read more »
Scaled back measures oil and gas producers have to take to control air pollution Read more »
Curbs CO2 only in sectors that account for at least 3 percent of U.S. emissions Read more »
Grants manufacturers a waiver from uniform energy-efficiency test procedures Read more »
Restricted which public health benefits could be factored into new air rules Read more »
Prevents environmental, social and government funds from being the default in 401(k) investments Read more »
Loosened a Clinton-era rule aimed at limiting toxic emissions from major emitters Read more »
Removed the EPA Environmental Appeals Board’s authority to consider environmental justice challenges related to clean air, clean water or waste-permit decisions. Read more »
Required a comparative analysis of the relative benefits and burdens of potential energy conservation standards for appliances Read more »
Weakened Obama-era greenhouse-gas standards for cars and SUVs Read more »
Reversed an Obama-era moratorium on federal coal leasing Read more »
Delayed issuing a plan to limit landfill methane emissions Read more »
Scaled back limits on methane emissions from drilling on public lands Read more »
Withdrew the legal justification for a 2012 rule limiting mercury emissions from power plants Read more »
Withdrew and delayed a rule to inform consumers about fuel-efficient replacement tires Read more »
Makes it more difficult to hold proxy and shareholder votes on environmental, social and governance grounds Read more »
Reduced reporting requirements for hazardous pollutants issuing from power plants Read more »
Removed requirements to control methane across the oil and gas industry Read more »
Indefinitely delayed adding 1-bromopropane (1-BP), a solvent linked to neurological damage, to the list of regulated hazardous air pollutants Read more »
Relaxed air pollution regulations for a handful of power plants that burn coal mining waste Read more »
Approval of Jordan Cove Energy Project, a natural gas export terminal Read more »
Withdrew rule requiring the detection and repair of hydroflourocarbon leaks from major appliances Read more »
Provided complete penalty forgiveness for firms that disclose and self-correct air violations Read more »
Rescinded the Clean Fuels Grant Program, which was to help areas cut pollution and deploy clean-fuel buses Read more »
Withdrew a 2016 proposal to impose energy conservation standards on manufactured housing Read more »
Declined to reduce cross-state air pollution involving soot and smog contributors Read more »
Denied petitions from several states to regulate air pollution coming from upwind states Read more »
Reversed stricter emission standards for large, publicly owned sewage treatment plants Read more »
Exempted some clothes washers and dryers from current energy- and water-efficiency standards Read more »
Weakened energy-efficiency standards for dishwashers Read more »
Eliminated methane emissions control requirements for all oil and gas operations Read more »
Withdrew efficiency standards for residential furnaces, commercial water heaters and gas appliances Read more »
Relaxed efficiency rules for showerheads, letting them use unlimited amounts of water Read more »
Revised a program to make it easier for new power plants to avoid emissions regulations Read more »
Weakened a 2016 rule tightening air pollution limits on offshore operations Read more »
Made changes to a program aimed at curbing emissions from new or modified industrial facilities Read more »
The rule streamlines pre-construction approval for minor sources of pollution on Indian Country Read more »
Made it more difficult to impose stricter energy-efficiency rules Read more »
Exempted large animal farms from having to report risks to state and local officials Read more »
Revised commercial and industrial incineration standards to address industry concerns Read more »
Allows petroleum refineries more easily to flare gas and conduct other activities Read more »
New 4
Policy put in place by Biden administration
Instructed the Secretary of the Treasury to assess climate risk and work with other agencies to align U.S. spending — including foreign aid — with the nation’s climate goals Read more »
Instructed the Secretary of Agriculture to develop a plan within 90 day to spur ‘climate-smart’ strategies in farming and forestry. Read more »
Mandated the government buy clean and zero-emission vehicles for its fleet, including federal, state and tribal vehicles Read more »
Ordered national security agencies to deliver a report within 90 days on how they will integrate climate change into their work Read more »
Easy to overturn 22
Can be reversed by a simple act, such as signing an executive order or new directive
Biden ordered the Secretary of State to submit the Kigali Amendment, phasing out hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), to the Senate for ratification Read more »
Trump withdrew the United States from the 2015 Paris climate agreement, but Biden rejoined it on his first day in office Read more »
Instructs Interior Department scientists to use all climate models, including ones suggesting fewer impacts Read more »
Proposal would allow manufacturers to use alternative standards to test small-motor efficiency Read more »
The Energy Department has delayed updating 25 energy-efficiency rules Read more »
Rescinded policy curbing pollutants power plants can emit during startup, shutdown and malfunctions Read more »
Repealed the Obama-era plan to curb greenhouse gas emissions from power plants Read more »
Would grant coal ash disposal permits without review to some state and tribal sites Read more »
Changing testing for heavy-duty vehicles and engines that could lead to higher CO2 emissions Read more »
Proposed reversing a requirement that plant owners get a pollution permit for expanded operations Read more »
Instructs Interior scientists to use several climate models, including ones projecting fewer impacts Read more »
Unsuccessful effort to rework a rule on hydrofluorocarbons, potent greenhouse gases Read more »
Revoked California’s waiver to regulate air pollution under the Clean Air Act Read more »
Weakened an Obama-era rule meant to improve air quality in national parks and wilderness areas Read more »
Lifted the summertime ban on a gasoline-ethanol blend linked to smog formation Read more »
Allowed states, tribes and localities more flexibility in complying with limits on smog-forming ozone Read more »
Proposal would change how anticipated pollution from a new facility is calculated Read more »
Dismantled the federal advisory panel for the National Climate Assessment Read more »
Reversed an Obama-era policy that restricted U.S. financing of coal-fired power plants abroad Read more »
Stopped payments to the Green Climate Fund, which helps poor nations address climate change Read more »
Withdrew guidance directing agencies to include carbon emissions in environmental reviews Read more »
Disbanded the panel that formulates the social cost of carbon Read more »
Medium 28
Can be reversed only through more extensive action, such as rewriting a regulation or court ruling
Repealed an Obama-era rule making lightbulbs more efficient Read more »
Scaled back measures oil and gas producers have to take to control air pollution Read more »
Curbs CO2 only in sectors that account for at least 3 percent of U.S. emissions Read more »
Grants manufacturers a waiver from uniform energy-efficiency test procedures Read more »
Restricted which public health benefits could be factored into new air rules Read more »
Prevents environmental, social and government funds from being the default in 401(k) investments Read more »
Loosened a Clinton-era rule aimed at limiting toxic emissions from major emitters Read more »
Removed the EPA Environmental Appeals Board’s authority to consider environmental justice challenges related to clean air, clean water or waste-permit decisions. Read more »
Required a comparative analysis of the relative benefits and burdens of potential energy conservation standards for appliances Read more »
Weakened Obama-era greenhouse-gas standards for cars and SUVs Read more »
Reversed an Obama-era moratorium on federal coal leasing Read more »
Delayed issuing a plan to limit landfill methane emissions Read more »
Scaled back limits on methane emissions from drilling on public lands Read more »
Withdrew the legal justification for a 2012 rule limiting mercury emissions from power plants Read more »
Withdrew and delayed a rule to inform consumers about fuel-efficient replacement tires Read more »
Makes it more difficult to hold proxy and shareholder votes on environmental, social and governance grounds Read more »
Reduced reporting requirements for hazardous pollutants issuing from power plants Read more »
Removed requirements to control methane across the oil and gas industry Read more »
Indefinitely delayed adding 1-bromopropane (1-BP), a solvent linked to neurological damage, to the list of regulated hazardous air pollutants Read more »
Relaxed air pollution regulations for a handful of power plants that burn coal mining waste Read more »
Approval of Jordan Cove Energy Project, a natural gas export terminal Read more »
Withdrew rule requiring the detection and repair of hydroflourocarbon leaks from major appliances Read more »
Provided complete penalty forgiveness for firms that disclose and self-correct air violations Read more »
Rescinded the Clean Fuels Grant Program, which was to help areas cut pollution and deploy clean-fuel buses Read more »
Withdrew a 2016 proposal to impose energy conservation standards on manufactured housing Read more »
Declined to reduce cross-state air pollution involving soot and smog contributors Read more »
Denied petitions from several states to regulate air pollution coming from upwind states Read more »
Reversed stricter emission standards for large, publicly owned sewage treatment plants Read more »
Difficult 13
Can only be reversed through a lengthy regulatory process, act of Congress or court ruling
Exempted some clothes washers and dryers from current energy- and water-efficiency standards Read more »
Weakened energy-efficiency standards for dishwashers Read more »
Eliminated methane emissions control requirements for all oil and gas operations Read more »
Withdrew efficiency standards for residential furnaces, commercial water heaters and gas appliances Read more »
Relaxed efficiency rules for showerheads, letting them use unlimited amounts of water Read more »
Revised a program to make it easier for new power plants to avoid emissions regulations Read more »
Weakened a 2016 rule tightening air pollution limits on offshore operations Read more »
Made changes to a program aimed at curbing emissions from new or modified industrial facilities Read more »
The rule streamlines pre-construction approval for minor sources of pollution on Indian Country Read more »
Made it more difficult to impose stricter energy-efficiency rules Read more »
Exempted large animal farms from having to report risks to state and local officials Read more »
Revised commercial and industrial incineration standards to address industry concerns Read more »
Allows petroleum refineries more easily to flare gas and conduct other activities Read more »
Chemical safety
Status of Trump’s rollbacks: 0 overturned 6 targeted 8 not yet targeted
From plastic water bottles to farmworker pesticide exposure to chemical dangers for infants and children, the Trump administration favored industry over consumer health. At least 14 chemical safety laws are under review by the Biden administration to restore lost protections.
Biden suedBiden action challenged in court
Trump suedTrump action challenged in court
Can be reversed by a simple act, such as signing an executive order or new directive
Can be reversed only through more extensive action, such as rewriting a regulation or court ruling
Can only be reversed through a lengthy regulatory process, act of Congress or court ruling
Unsuccessful effort to block Agricultural Worker Protection Standard Read more »
Rejected a proposed ban on chlorpyrifos, a pesticide linked to neurological damage in children Read more »
Proposal would narrow the regulation of toxic solvents used in dry cleaning Read more »
Proposed relaxing restrictions in interim pesticide registration for pyrethroids Read more »
Proposed allowing commercial nuclear reactors to dispose of radioactive waste, aside from spent fuel, in local landfills Read more »
Reversed rule restricting platic water bottle sales in national parks Read more »
Eased compliance requirements for storing volatile organic liquids, including petroleum products Read more »
Limited the use of the deadly chemical methylene chloride but exempted commercial uses Read more »
Limited the scope of how the EPA evaluates the risks of toxic chemicals available on the market
Withdrew a proposed ban of NMP, a toxic chemical used in paint strippers Read more »
Adopted a pesticide spraying rule, narrower than the Obama-era rule, after a court loss Read more »
Rescinded a chemical disaster rule aimed at improving safety at sites with dangerous chemicals Read more »
Altered requirements for facilities that use extremely hazardous substances to develop risk management plans in case of accidental releases Read more »
Revised how the government gauges pesticide effects on endangered species
Easy to overturn 6
Can be reversed by a simple act, such as signing an executive order or new directive
Unsuccessful effort to block Agricultural Worker Protection Standard Read more »
Rejected a proposed ban on chlorpyrifos, a pesticide linked to neurological damage in children Read more »
Proposal would narrow the regulation of toxic solvents used in dry cleaning Read more »
Proposed relaxing restrictions in interim pesticide registration for pyrethroids Read more »
Proposed allowing commercial nuclear reactors to dispose of radioactive waste, aside from spent fuel, in local landfills Read more »
Reversed rule restricting platic water bottle sales in national parks Read more »
Medium 6
Can be reversed only through more extensive action, such as rewriting a regulation or court ruling
Eased compliance requirements for storing volatile organic liquids, including petroleum products Read more »
Limited the use of the deadly chemical methylene chloride but exempted commercial uses Read more »
Limited the scope of how the EPA evaluates the risks of toxic chemicals available on the market
Withdrew a proposed ban of NMP, a toxic chemical used in paint strippers Read more »
Adopted a pesticide spraying rule, narrower than the Obama-era rule, after a court loss Read more »
Rescinded a chemical disaster rule aimed at improving safety at sites with dangerous chemicals Read more »
Difficult 2
Can only be reversed through a lengthy regulatory process, act of Congress or court ruling
Altered requirements for facilities that use extremely hazardous substances to develop risk management plans in case of accidental releases Read more »
Revised how the government gauges pesticide effects on endangered species
Drilling and extraction
5 new protections added
Status of Trump’s rollbacks: 4 overturned 11 targeted 49 not yet targeted
The 61 rollbacks Trump enacted on drilling, mining and logging ranged from weakened oil worker safety on offshore platforms to extracting fossil fuels from public lands. Biden announced a moratorium on oil and gas drilling on Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and is reassessing a range of extractive activities including expanded timber operations in Alaska’s Tongass National Forest and coal leasing out West in the Lower 48.
Biden suedBiden action challenged in court
Trump suedTrump action challenged in court
Policy put in place by Biden administration
Can be reversed by a simple act, such as signing an executive order or new directive
Can be reversed only through more extensive action, such as rewriting a regulation or court ruling
Can only be reversed through a lengthy regulatory process, act of Congress or court ruling
The Agriculture Department’s acting deputy undersecretary for natural resources, Chris French, instructed that any activities in roadless areas such as road building, timber harvesting and mining must undergo special review by the Natural Resources and Environment Division. This effectively blocks any new road construction in Alaska’s Tongass National Forest. Read more »
Establishes a new interagency council to devise economic strategies to shift communities away from fossil fuels Read more »
Instructed all agencies to identify existing fossil fuel subsidies and eliminate them from their FY 2021 budget request Read more »
Halted all new oil and gas leasing on federal lands and waters in order to conduct a thorough review Read more »
Subjected all major DOI decisions, including awarding new permits, to approval by a senior Biden appointee. The department later revoked 70 drilling permits that had been approved by career appointees. Read more »
Canceled Cook Inlet OCS Oil & Gas Lease Sale 258, off Alaska’s southcentral coast, on the grounds that it conflicted with Biden’s EO 14008. Read more »
Instructed agencies to speed up the development of energy projects such as pipelines Read more »
Shrank two national monuments in Utah and called for changes to other national monuments Read more »
Biden rescinded the 2017 cross-permit Trump granted for the Keystone XL pipeline Read more »
Proposal would make it easier to harvest timber on BLM land Read more »
Sped up oil and gas leasing on Bureau of Land Management lands Read more »
Extended 20-year authorization for natural gas exports to non-trade agreement countries Read more »
Allowing drilling in Utah’s Labyrinth Canyon, in an area surrounded by wilderness Read more »
Would allow ranchers to make nonmonetary settlements when they overgraze or illegally graze on public lands Read more »
Proposed scaling back protections in Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan Read more »
Proposal to reduce the financial assurances oil and gas firms leasing offshore rights must supply Read more »
Proposed scaling back of security requirements for drilling on federal land Read more »
Proposed reducing federal fees for non-energy minerals such as potash and phosphate Read more »
Proposed scaling back rules governing oil pipeline spills Read more »
Proposed overhauling grazing on Bureau of Land Management lands Read more »
Proposed speeding up the issuing of oil and gas permits on national forest land Read more »
Proposed making it easier to locate minerals on national forest land Read more »
Proposed plan would expand drilling in the Atlantic, Pacific and Arctic oceans Read more »
Proposed weakening standards governing oil and gas exploratory drilling in the Arctic Ocean Read more »
Repealed an Obama-era rule raising federal royalties for oil, gas and coal leases Read more »
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers allowed a controversial mine permit application but then denied it Read more »
Amended hazardous materials rules to allow liquefied natural gas exports
Provided royalty relief to oil and gas firms while denying relief to renewable-energy companies Read more »
Allowed seismic testing in Big Cypress National Reserve without a permit Read more »
Executive order to encourage logging on federal lands Read more »
Allowed state and tribal officials to lay claim to 1.3 million acres of Alaska land for development Read more »
Moved international border-crossing permit decisions to the White House, to speed pipelines Read more »
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration announced it would not enforce rules against operators that do not comply with farm tap regulations Read more »
Barred requiring users of public lands to offset their environmental damage unless specifically directed Read more »
Removes protections from 229,715 acres in Alaska to allow for minerals extraction Read more »
Instructed agencies to use coastal, oceanic and Great Lake resources for energy production Read more »
Changed how regulators consider the greenhouse gas impacts of pipelines in environmental reviews Read more »
Canceled move to ban mining on 1.3 million acres of California Desert National Conservation Lands Read more »
Overturned guidance to protect sage grouse habitat Read more »
Made most of the Arctic Ocean and parts of the Atlantic Ocean open to oil and gas leasing Read more »
Instructed Interior to revise five-year offshore leasing plan to expand energy production Read more »
Withdrew a 2016 information collection request for greenhouse gas emissions from existing oil and gas operations Read more »
Approved construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline Read more »
Biden paused an Office of Comptroller of the Currency rule finalized on Jan. 14, 2021 that barred banks from refusing to finance projects for certain sectors, such as fossil fuels. It was set to take effect April 1, 2021. Read more »
Proposed limiting protests on federal timber sales Read more »
Would make more than 13 million acres in the Western Bering Sea open to development Read more »
Allowed road-building and logging in most of the Tongass National Forest Read more »
Allowed the bulk transport of liquified natural gas in rail tank cars Read more »
Withdrew rule that would ensure mining firms paid the cost of cleaning up their operations Read more »
Rescinded tighter fracking rules on federal and Indian lands Read more »
Proposal would allow mining giants Rio Tinto and BHP to mine copper in Oak Flat, Ariz. Read more »
Opens 9.7 million acres in western Alaska to mineral leasing Read more »
The Trump administration reached an agreement with Canadian-owned Midas Gold, over the objections of Idaho’s Nez Perce Tribe, to do a partial cleanup of the historical Stibnite Mine Site that clears the way for a massive open-pit gold mine. Read more »
Expanded drilling on the largest swath of federal land, in Alaska, by 7 million acres Read more »
Expanded grazing by amending the Sonoran Desert National Monument Grazing Plan Read more »
Reduced the requirements that tribes face when they enter into energy agreements involving tribal land Read more »
Eliminated most of the “Sagebrush Focal Areas” created to protect the imperiled sage grouse Read more »
Determined that coal mining can take place in an area near Bryce Canyon National Park Read more »
Revived mining leases near Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness Read more »
Removed copper filter cake, which contains heavy metals, from EPA’s hazardous waste list Read more »
Nullified an Obama-era rule requiring firms to disclose payments to foreign governments for mining projects Read more »
Weakened the requirement for oil firms to test fail-safe devices use to prevent oil spills Read more »
Lifted the ban on drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge’s coastal plain Read more »
Approval for a lithium mine on BLM land that provides habitat for sage grouse, pronghorn antelope and a rare type of springsnail Read more »
Weakened federal oversight of mine safety and requirements to report safety violations Read more »
Leased drilling rights to 552,000 acres in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Read more »
Rolled back offshore drilling equipment safety rules adopted after Deepwater Horizon disaster Read more »
Quickened approvals for small-scale natural gas exports to non-trade agreement countries Read more »
New 5
Policy put in place by Biden administration
The Agriculture Department’s acting deputy undersecretary for natural resources, Chris French, instructed that any activities in roadless areas such as road building, timber harvesting and mining must undergo special review by the Natural Resources and Environment Division. This effectively blocks any new road construction in Alaska’s Tongass National Forest. Read more »
Establishes a new interagency council to devise economic strategies to shift communities away from fossil fuels Read more »
Instructed all agencies to identify existing fossil fuel subsidies and eliminate them from their FY 2021 budget request Read more »
Halted all new oil and gas leasing on federal lands and waters in order to conduct a thorough review Read more »
Subjected all major DOI decisions, including awarding new permits, to approval by a senior Biden appointee. The department later revoked 70 drilling permits that had been approved by career appointees. Read more »
Easy to overturn 39
Can be reversed by a simple act, such as signing an executive order or new directive
Canceled Cook Inlet OCS Oil & Gas Lease Sale 258, off Alaska’s southcentral coast, on the grounds that it conflicted with Biden’s EO 14008. Read more »
Instructed agencies to speed up the development of energy projects such as pipelines Read more »
Shrank two national monuments in Utah and called for changes to other national monuments Read more »
Biden rescinded the 2017 cross-permit Trump granted for the Keystone XL pipeline Read more »
Proposal would make it easier to harvest timber on BLM land Read more »
Sped up oil and gas leasing on Bureau of Land Management lands Read more »
Extended 20-year authorization for natural gas exports to non-trade agreement countries Read more »
Allowing drilling in Utah’s Labyrinth Canyon, in an area surrounded by wilderness Read more »
Would allow ranchers to make nonmonetary settlements when they overgraze or illegally graze on public lands Read more »
Proposed scaling back protections in Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan Read more »
Proposal to reduce the financial assurances oil and gas firms leasing offshore rights must supply Read more »
Proposed scaling back of security requirements for drilling on federal land Read more »
Proposed reducing federal fees for non-energy minerals such as potash and phosphate Read more »
Proposed scaling back rules governing oil pipeline spills Read more »
Proposed overhauling grazing on Bureau of Land Management lands Read more »
Proposed speeding up the issuing of oil and gas permits on national forest land Read more »
Proposed making it easier to locate minerals on national forest land Read more »
Proposed plan would expand drilling in the Atlantic, Pacific and Arctic oceans Read more »
Proposed weakening standards governing oil and gas exploratory drilling in the Arctic Ocean Read more »
Repealed an Obama-era rule raising federal royalties for oil, gas and coal leases Read more »
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers allowed a controversial mine permit application but then denied it Read more »
Amended hazardous materials rules to allow liquefied natural gas exports
Provided royalty relief to oil and gas firms while denying relief to renewable-energy companies Read more »
Allowed seismic testing in Big Cypress National Reserve without a permit Read more »
Executive order to encourage logging on federal lands Read more »
Allowed state and tribal officials to lay claim to 1.3 million acres of Alaska land for development Read more »
Moved international border-crossing permit decisions to the White House, to speed pipelines Read more »
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration announced it would not enforce rules against operators that do not comply with farm tap regulations Read more »
Barred requiring users of public lands to offset their environmental damage unless specifically directed Read more »
Removes protections from 229,715 acres in Alaska to allow for minerals extraction Read more »
Instructed agencies to use coastal, oceanic and Great Lake resources for energy production Read more »
Changed how regulators consider the greenhouse gas impacts of pipelines in environmental reviews Read more »
Canceled move to ban mining on 1.3 million acres of California Desert National Conservation Lands Read more »
Overturned guidance to protect sage grouse habitat Read more »
Made most of the Arctic Ocean and parts of the Atlantic Ocean open to oil and gas leasing Read more »
Instructed Interior to revise five-year offshore leasing plan to expand energy production Read more »
Withdrew a 2016 information collection request for greenhouse gas emissions from existing oil and gas operations Read more »
Approved construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline Read more »
Medium 18
Can be reversed only through more extensive action, such as rewriting a regulation or court ruling
Biden paused an Office of Comptroller of the Currency rule finalized on Jan. 14, 2021 that barred banks from refusing to finance projects for certain sectors, such as fossil fuels. It was set to take effect April 1, 2021. Read more »
Proposed limiting protests on federal timber sales Read more »
Would make more than 13 million acres in the Western Bering Sea open to development Read more »
Allowed road-building and logging in most of the Tongass National Forest Read more »
Allowed the bulk transport of liquified natural gas in rail tank cars Read more »
Withdrew rule that would ensure mining firms paid the cost of cleaning up their operations Read more »
Rescinded tighter fracking rules on federal and Indian lands Read more »
Proposal would allow mining giants Rio Tinto and BHP to mine copper in Oak Flat, Ariz. Read more »
Opens 9.7 million acres in western Alaska to mineral leasing Read more »
The Trump administration reached an agreement with Canadian-owned Midas Gold, over the objections of Idaho’s Nez Perce Tribe, to do a partial cleanup of the historical Stibnite Mine Site that clears the way for a massive open-pit gold mine. Read more »
Expanded drilling on the largest swath of federal land, in Alaska, by 7 million acres Read more »
Expanded grazing by amending the Sonoran Desert National Monument Grazing Plan Read more »
Reduced the requirements that tribes face when they enter into energy agreements involving tribal land Read more »
Eliminated most of the “Sagebrush Focal Areas” created to protect the imperiled sage grouse Read more »
Determined that coal mining can take place in an area near Bryce Canyon National Park Read more »
Revived mining leases near Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness Read more »
Removed copper filter cake, which contains heavy metals, from EPA’s hazardous waste list Read more »
Nullified an Obama-era rule requiring firms to disclose payments to foreign governments for mining projects Read more »
Difficult 7
Can only be reversed through a lengthy regulatory process, act of Congress or court ruling
Weakened the requirement for oil firms to test fail-safe devices use to prevent oil spills Read more »
Lifted the ban on drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge’s coastal plain Read more »
Approval for a lithium mine on BLM land that provides habitat for sage grouse, pronghorn antelope and a rare type of springsnail Read more »
Weakened federal oversight of mine safety and requirements to report safety violations Read more »
Leased drilling rights to 552,000 acres in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Read more »
Rolled back offshore drilling equipment safety rules adopted after Deepwater Horizon disaster Read more »
Quickened approvals for small-scale natural gas exports to non-trade agreement countries Read more »
Infrastructure and permitting
2 new protections added
Status of Trump’s rollbacks: 5 overturned 3 targeted 19 not yet targeted
The Trump administration circumvented environmental rules to speed approval of major projects such as a four-lane highway that could crush desert tortoises in the Red Cliffs National Conservation Area and adopting changes that will curb public input in the development of highways, power plants and incinerators near communities.
Biden suedBiden action challenged in court
Trump suedTrump action challenged in court
Policy put in place by Biden administration
Can be reversed by a simple act, such as signing an executive order or new directive
Can be reversed only through more extensive action, such as rewriting a regulation or court ruling
Can only be reversed through a lengthy regulatory process, act of Congress or court ruling
Established a new cadre of workers to help restore landscapes and help communities adapt to climate change Read more »
Instructed agencies to expedite offshore wind development in order to double installed capacity by 2030 Read more »
Instructed agencies to expedite infrastructure projects during the pandemic Read more »
President Biden rescinded Trump-era guidance that federal agencies no longer have to take a project’s long-term climate impacts into account Read more »
President Biden restored a 2013 executive order on preparing for climate change impacts Read more »
President Biden restored federal flood standards Trump revoked in 2017 Read more »
Revoked an Obama executive order promoting climate resilience in the northern Bering Sea region Read more »
Ruled it was legal to take sand from a protected area to replenish a beach elsewhere Read more »
Instructed agencies to invoke their emergency powers to speed up infrastructure projects Read more »
Proposal would narrow the Transportation Department’s environmental reviews of major projects Read more »
Proposed changing the way the EPA weighs costs and benefits of environmental regulation Read more »
Would withdraw stiffer federal flood risk standards Read more »
Allows radioactive phosphogypsum to be used in government road construction projects Read more »
Citing the pandemic, instructed agencies to waive regulations to bolster the economy Read more »
Opened up 5,400 acres surrounding Utah’s Factory Butte to off-road vehicles Read more »
Revoked directive to minimize impacts on wildlife and land when approving development projects Read more »
Rolled back Obama-era policy to protect Alaska’s Izembek National Wildlife Refuge Read more »
Directed Interior Department to streamline its environmental review documents Read more »
Withdrew 2016 order to consider climate change in the management of national parks Read more »
Revoked Obama-era standards requiring that federal projects consider sea-level rise and other climate impacts Read more »
Granted a 50-year right-of-way for a 210-mile private mining road over an Alaskan roadless are that includes Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve Read more »
Sped up environmental review process for U.S. Forest Service projects Read more »
Limited the climate and environmental impact analysis of major federal actions Read more »
Changed policy to allow coastal replenishment projects to use sand from protected ecosystems. Read more »
Streamlined Army Corps of Engineers permitting for pipelines and other projects Read more »
Allows construction of a four-lane highway in a protected area home to threatened desert tortoises Read more »
Overturned a Clean Water Act veto of a project that will drain and damage Mississippi wetlands Read more »
Exempted exports of natural gas from environmental reviews Read more »
Nullified the Bureau of Land Management’s updated planning rule Read more »
New 2
Policy put in place by Biden administration
Established a new cadre of workers to help restore landscapes and help communities adapt to climate change Read more »
Instructed agencies to expedite offshore wind development in order to double installed capacity by 2030 Read more »
Easy to overturn 18
Can be reversed by a simple act, such as signing an executive order or new directive
Instructed agencies to expedite infrastructure projects during the pandemic Read more »
President Biden rescinded Trump-era guidance that federal agencies no longer have to take a project’s long-term climate impacts into account Read more »
President Biden restored a 2013 executive order on preparing for climate change impacts Read more »
President Biden restored federal flood standards Trump revoked in 2017 Read more »
Revoked an Obama executive order promoting climate resilience in the northern Bering Sea region Read more »
Ruled it was legal to take sand from a protected area to replenish a beach elsewhere Read more »
Instructed agencies to invoke their emergency powers to speed up infrastructure projects Read more »
Proposal would narrow the Transportation Department’s environmental reviews of major projects Read more »
Proposed changing the way the EPA weighs costs and benefits of environmental regulation Read more »
Would withdraw stiffer federal flood risk standards Read more »
Allows radioactive phosphogypsum to be used in government road construction projects Read more »
Citing the pandemic, instructed agencies to waive regulations to bolster the economy Read more »
Opened up 5,400 acres surrounding Utah’s Factory Butte to off-road vehicles Read more »
Revoked directive to minimize impacts on wildlife and land when approving development projects Read more »
Rolled back Obama-era policy to protect Alaska’s Izembek National Wildlife Refuge Read more »
Directed Interior Department to streamline its environmental review documents Read more »
Withdrew 2016 order to consider climate change in the management of national parks Read more »
Revoked Obama-era standards requiring that federal projects consider sea-level rise and other climate impacts Read more »
Medium 4
Can be reversed only through more extensive action, such as rewriting a regulation or court ruling
Granted a 50-year right-of-way for a 210-mile private mining road over an Alaskan roadless are that includes Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve Read more »
Sped up environmental review process for U.S. Forest Service projects Read more »
Limited the climate and environmental impact analysis of major federal actions Read more »
Changed policy to allow coastal replenishment projects to use sand from protected ecosystems. Read more »
Difficult 5
Can only be reversed through a lengthy regulatory process, act of Congress or court ruling
Streamlined Army Corps of Engineers permitting for pipelines and other projects Read more »
Allows construction of a four-lane highway in a protected area home to threatened desert tortoises Read more »
Overturned a Clean Water Act veto of a project that will drain and damage Mississippi wetlands Read more »
Exempted exports of natural gas from environmental reviews Read more »
Nullified the Bureau of Land Management’s updated planning rule Read more »
Accountability
3 new protections added
Status of Trump’s rollbacks: 2 overturned 0 targeted 1 not yet targeted
Biden has said he will change the way the federal government works, making environmental justice a top priority. He will also restore the role of science in decision-making across the entire federal government. That includes taking aim at one of the Environmental Protection Agency’s final acts under Trump: limiting the scientific data that can be used in the crafting of public health protections.
Biden suedBiden action challenged in court
Trump suedTrump action challenged in court
Policy put in place by Biden administration
Can be reversed by a simple act, such as signing an executive order or new directive
Can be reversed only through more extensive action, such as rewriting a regulation or court ruling
Mandates a report within 180 days on how climate change will spur migration, including the international security implications of climate refugees and proposals for how the U.S. can provide foreign aid to alleviate global warming’s negative impacts. Read more »
Mandated that 40 percent of all federal sustainability investments go to disadvantaged communities Read more »
Established a new White House interagency council as well as new offices in the Justice and Health and Human Services Departments Read more »
Biden officials rescinded a policy that curbed funding of environmental and community projects through legal settlements and lawsuits Read more »
Limits what scientific studies the Interior Department uses to craft rules Read more »
On Feb. 1 a federal judge in Montana vacated this rule, which restricted scientific studies the EPA considers in crafting public health rules Read more »
New 3
Policy put in place by Biden administration
Mandates a report within 180 days on how climate change will spur migration, including the international security implications of climate refugees and proposals for how the U.S. can provide foreign aid to alleviate global warming’s negative impacts. Read more »
Mandated that 40 percent of all federal sustainability investments go to disadvantaged communities Read more »
Established a new White House interagency council as well as new offices in the Justice and Health and Human Services Departments Read more »
Easy to overturn 2
Can be reversed by a simple act, such as signing an executive order or new directive
Biden officials rescinded a policy that curbed funding of environmental and community projects through legal settlements and lawsuits Read more »
Limits what scientific studies the Interior Department uses to craft rules Read more »
Medium 1
Can be reversed only through more extensive action, such as rewriting a regulation or court ruling
On Feb. 1 a federal judge in Montana vacated this rule, which restricted scientific studies the EPA considers in crafting public health rules Read more »
Water pollution
Status of Trump’s rollbacks: 0 overturned 6 targeted 7 not yet targeted
Trump eased restrictions on how companies store coal ash, weakened rules on dumping toxic waste from power plants into waterways and altered which wetlands and streams require federal oversight. Biden has said he will crack down on legacy pollution, particularly in vulnerable communities, and will prioritize upgrading the nation’s crumbling drinking-water infrastructure.
Biden suedBiden action challenged in court
Trump suedTrump action challenged in court
Can be reversed by a simple act, such as signing an executive order or new directive
Can be reversed only through more extensive action, such as rewriting a regulation or court ruling
Can only be reversed through a lengthy regulatory process, act of Congress or court ruling
Creates a loophole in the discharge of water pollution, despite Supreme Court ruling Read more »
Proposed limiting the scope of an Obama-era coal ash rule Read more »
Memo allowing the dumping of a toxic PFAS chemicals into nearby waterways Read more »
Delayed electronic reporting requirements for water pollution discharges by five years Read more »
Allowed some coal ash impoundments to keep operating Read more »
Reversed the finding that perchlorate, a toxic chemical, must be regulated nationwide Read more »
Weakens cleanup requirements for the power, oil and gas, and chemical manufacturing industries Read more »
Withdrew a proposed rule requiring groundwater protections in uranium mine operations Read more »
Weakened rules on dumping toxic waste from power plants into waterways Read more »
Extended the operating life of some coal ash ponds leaking toxic waste Read more »
Weakened a Clean Water Act provision that states and tribes used to object to federal project approvals Read more »
Scaled back federal protections for streams, wetlands and other waterways. Read more »
Scrapped Obama rule requiring mining firms to reduce harm to streams Read more »
Easy to overturn 3
Can be reversed by a simple act, such as signing an executive order or new directive
Creates a loophole in the discharge of water pollution, despite Supreme Court ruling Read more »
Proposed limiting the scope of an Obama-era coal ash rule Read more »
Memo allowing the dumping of a toxic PFAS chemicals into nearby waterways Read more »
Medium 5
Can be reversed only through more extensive action, such as rewriting a regulation or court ruling
Delayed electronic reporting requirements for water pollution discharges by five years Read more »
Allowed some coal ash impoundments to keep operating Read more »
Reversed the finding that perchlorate, a toxic chemical, must be regulated nationwide Read more »
Weakens cleanup requirements for the power, oil and gas, and chemical manufacturing industries Read more »
Withdrew a proposed rule requiring groundwater protections in uranium mine operations Read more »
Difficult 5
Can only be reversed through a lengthy regulatory process, act of Congress or court ruling
Weakened rules on dumping toxic waste from power plants into waterways Read more »
Extended the operating life of some coal ash ponds leaking toxic waste Read more »
Weakened a Clean Water Act provision that states and tribes used to object to federal project approvals Read more »
Scaled back federal protections for streams, wetlands and other waterways. Read more »
Scrapped Obama rule requiring mining firms to reduce harm to streams Read more »
Wildlife
1 new protection added
Status of Trump’s rollbacks: 1 overturned 10 targeted 16 not yet targeted
One of the hallmarks of former interior secretary David Bernhardt’s legacy has been the narrowing of safeguards for endangered wildlife. The northern spotted owl, whose forest habitat is disappearing; the Pacific walrus, which faces shrinking sea ice; and the Bryde’s whale, threatened by oil and gas drilling in the Gulf of Mexico, are likely to receive enhanced protections under Biden.
Biden suedBiden action challenged in court
Trump suedTrump action challenged in court
Policy put in place by Biden administration
Can be reversed by a simple act, such as signing an executive order or new directive
Can be reversed only through more extensive action, such as rewriting a regulation or court ruling
Can only be reversed through a lengthy regulatory process, act of Congress or court ruling
Set a goal of conserving 30 percent of U.S. lands and waters by 2030 Read more »
Withdrew sage grouse protections spanning 10 million acres to allow drilling Read more »
Relaxed environmental protections for salmon and smelt in California’s Central Valley Read more »
Scaled back consultations under the Endangered Species Act Read more »
Proposed seismic testing permit in the refuge would allow disturbance of polar bears Read more »
Proposed allowing the trapping and baiting of brown bears in Alaska’s Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Read more »
Rolled back inter-agency Endangered Species Act consultations on pesticides Read more »
Lifted all commericial fishing limits within the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument Read more »
Withdrew a prohibition on using neonicotinoid pesticides and GMOs in national wildlife refuges Read more »
Made it legal to destroy Canada geese nests year-round Read more »
Lifted ban to allow for some elephant and lion trophy imports Read more »
Reversed legal interpretation that killing scores birds by accident is subject to prosecution Read more »
Prioritized industrial and other uses when making critical habitat designation Read more »
Allowed oil and gas operators to harm marine mammals while during surveys in the Gulf of Mexico Read more »
Shrank the spotted owl’s critical habitat by 3.4 million acres Read more »
Reversed a 25-year policy of barring the logging of trees with a diameter of 21 inches or more in national forests in eastern Oregon and Washington. Read more »
Vetoed bipartisan bill phasing out mile-long driftnets that entangle marine mammals and sharks Read more »
Scuttled a recovery site for the endangered black-footed ferret Read more »
Reclassified American burying beetle from endangered to threatened, despite ongoing threats Read more »
Adopted rules with fewer safeguards for Atlantic bluefin tuna Read more »
Weakened rule for shrimp trawl nets that entangle sea turtles Read more »
Overturned a ban on the use of lead ammunition and fishing tackle on federal lands Read more »
Denied Endangered Species Act protections to the Pacific walrus, which is threatened by climate change Read more »
Requires consideration of financial impacts in designating critical habitat under the Endangered Species Act Read more »
Narrowed the definition of what constitutes critical habitat for imperiled species Read more »
Reversed Obama-era ban on controversial hunting practices on some lands in Alaska Read more »
Limited when the government identifies habitat as critical for an imperiled species Read more »
Overturned a ban on the hunting of predators in Alaskan wildlife refuges Read more »
New 1
Policy put in place by Biden administration
Set a goal of conserving 30 percent of U.S. lands and waters by 2030 Read more »
Easy to overturn 10
Can be reversed by a simple act, such as signing an executive order or new directive
Withdrew sage grouse protections spanning 10 million acres to allow drilling Read more »
Relaxed environmental protections for salmon and smelt in California’s Central Valley Read more »
Scaled back consultations under the Endangered Species Act Read more »
Proposed seismic testing permit in the refuge would allow disturbance of polar bears Read more »
Proposed allowing the trapping and baiting of brown bears in Alaska’s Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Read more »
Rolled back inter-agency Endangered Species Act consultations on pesticides Read more »
Lifted all commericial fishing limits within the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument Read more »
Withdrew a prohibition on using neonicotinoid pesticides and GMOs in national wildlife refuges Read more »
Made it legal to destroy Canada geese nests year-round Read more »
Lifted ban to allow for some elephant and lion trophy imports Read more »
Medium 12
Can be reversed only through more extensive action, such as rewriting a regulation or court ruling
Reversed legal interpretation that killing scores birds by accident is subject to prosecution Read more »
Prioritized industrial and other uses when making critical habitat designation Read more »
Allowed oil and gas operators to harm marine mammals while during surveys in the Gulf of Mexico Read more »
Shrank the spotted owl’s critical habitat by 3.4 million acres Read more »
Reversed a 25-year policy of barring the logging of trees with a diameter of 21 inches or more in national forests in eastern Oregon and Washington. Read more »
Vetoed bipartisan bill phasing out mile-long driftnets that entangle marine mammals and sharks Read more »
Scuttled a recovery site for the endangered black-footed ferret Read more »
Reclassified American burying beetle from endangered to threatened, despite ongoing threats Read more »
Adopted rules with fewer safeguards for Atlantic bluefin tuna Read more »
Weakened rule for shrimp trawl nets that entangle sea turtles Read more »
Overturned a ban on the use of lead ammunition and fishing tackle on federal lands Read more »
Denied Endangered Species Act protections to the Pacific walrus, which is threatened by climate change Read more »
Difficult 5
Can only be reversed through a lengthy regulatory process, act of Congress or court ruling
Requires consideration of financial impacts in designating critical habitat under the Endangered Species Act Read more »
Narrowed the definition of what constitutes critical habitat for imperiled species Read more »
Reversed Obama-era ban on controversial hunting practices on some lands in Alaska Read more »
Limited when the government identifies habitat as critical for an imperiled species Read more »
Overturned a ban on the hunting of predators in Alaskan wildlife refuges Read more »
