CleanLaw Ep102—Unpacking the White House’s Legal Strategy for Attacking Environmental Protection
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Apr 30, 2025 
In this discussion, Ari Peskoe, a director at EELP focused on electricity law, and Carrie Jenks, EELP's executive director, dive into President Trump's latest executive orders affecting energy and climate. They dissect the implications of deregulation and the challenge to state energy policies, especially regarding the coal industry. Concerns about funding freezes for clean energy initiatives arise, alongside discussions on environmental grants and litigation risks. The dialogue highlights the evolving legal landscape and possible overreach in environmental regulations, sparking broader implications for public health.
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Energy Emergency Symbolism
- Declaring a national energy emergency was more a symbolic move than a reflection of actual conditions.
- U.S. energy production is at record levels, negating any real emergency claim.
Importance of EPA's Endangerment Finding
- The EPA's endangerment finding is crucial because it legally enables greenhouse gas regulation.
- Without it, the EPA would lose authority to regulate carbon emissions under the Clean Air Act.
Emergency Powers Favor Coal
- The administration aims to use emergency powers to prop up uneconomical coal plants.
- This involves a new, opaque methodology likely favoring coal while bypassing standard regulatory processes.