Trump signs executive order targeting state climate laws

The Trump administration is going after states with climate laws on the books that go against

the federal government's energy agenda. President Trump signed an executive order Tuesday ordering

the U.S. Attorney General to identify and take action against state laws that burden the use

of domestic energy and are, quote, unconstitutional, preempted by federal law, or otherwise unenforceable

Simply put, Americans are better off when the United States is energy dominant

American energy dominance is threatened when state and local governments seek to regulate energy beyond their constitutional or statutory authorities, the order states

The attorney general must submit a report detailing actions to be taken within 60 days

The order specifically mentions energy laws in New York, Vermont and California, saying these state laws and policies weaken our national security and devastate Americans by driving up energy costs for families coast to coast

despite some of these families not living or voting in states with these crippling policies

California has a cap-and-trade program designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change

The Golden State sets a limit or a cap on the total amount of greenhouse gas emissions allowed from certain sectors

such as power plants, refineries, and large industrial facilities. This cap declines each year, meaning total emissions must go down over time

New York and Vermont have Superfund laws in place which hold certain companies retroactively responsible for greenhouse gases they emitted These companies are required to pay into the Superfund for their

historic emissions. The money is then used to fund infrastructure and climate projects

and upgrade health facilities. U.S. Climate Alliance co-chairs New York Governor Kathy

Hochul and New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham responded to Trump's executive order

in a statement saying, The federal government cannot unilaterally strip states' independent constitutional authority

We are a nation of states and laws, and we will not be deterred

We will keep advancing solutions to the climate crisis that safeguard Americans' fundamental right

to clean air and water, create good-paying jobs, grow the clean energy economy

and make our future healthier and safer. The American Petroleum Institute praised the order, releasing a statement saying

We welcome President Trump's action to hold states like New York and California accountable for pursuing unconstitutional efforts that illegally penalize U.S. oil and natural gas producers for delivering the energy American consumers rely on every day

Directing the Department of Justice to address this state overreach will help restore the rule of law

and ensure activist-driven campaigns do not stand in the way of ensuring the nation

has access to an affordable and reliable energy supply. For Straight Arrow News, I'm Lauren Keenan

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