Trump targets state climate laws with new executive order

In April 2019, President Donald Trump signed a significant executive order aimed at state climate laws that he claims hinder national energy security. The order directs the U.S. Attorney General to identify and take action against state laws perceived as unconstitutional, particularly targeting regulations from California, New York, and Vermont. These state regulations are viewed by the administration as detrimental to the economy, purportedly raising energy costs for families and weakening national security. Trump’s administration believes that the energy dominance of the United States is threatened by state-level climate policies that exceed their constitutional authority. The executive order triggered a strong backlash from state leaders and environmental advocates, asserting that the federal government cannot unilaterally strip states of their authority. California's Governor Gavin Newsom condemned the order as a backward step regarding climate change efforts, while officials in New York and Vermont vowed to defend their state laws against these federal challenges. The American Petroleum Institute praised this move, viewing it as a necessary step to hold states accountable and reaffirm the rule of law amid what they perceive as overreach by state governments. This order opens the door for potential legal battles as state governments and the Trump administration prepare for a fight over the balance of energy regulation authority going forward. In response, a coalition of 22 states has formed to challenge the executive order, emphasizing their capacity to implement laws that protect their environmental resources. The ongoing conflict reflects deeper tensions between state and federal jurisdictions regarding climate policy and energy resources, highlighting the broader implications for environmental governance in the U.S.