Trump Makes Sweeping Move To Undercut State Climate Laws Like Calif.'s

"President Trump issued a sweeping executive order aimed at undermining states’ ability to set their own environmental policies. The order directs Attorney General Pam Bondi to identify and “stop the enforcement” of state laws that address climate change and other environmental initiatives. It takes aim at California’s cap-and-trade program — a first-of-its-kind program that sets limits on greenhouse gas emissions and allows companies to buy and sell their unused credits."

"The Trump administration this week ramped up its efforts to erode nationwide climate progress with a sweeping executive order aimed at undermining states’ ability to set their own environmental policies, including key components of California’s fight against climate change.

In an order dated April 8, the president directed Atty. Gen. Pam Bondi to identify and “stop the enforcement of” state laws that address climate change and other environmental initiatives.

“Many States have enacted, or are in the process of enacting, burdensome and ideologically motivated ‘climate change’ or energy policies that threaten American energy dominance and our economic and national security,” the president wrote in the executive order.

“These State laws and policies are fundamentally irreconcilable with my Administration’s objective to unleash American energy,” he wrote. “They should not stand.” "

Hayley Smith reports for the Los Angeles Times April 9, 2025.

SEE ALSO:

"Governors Push Back As Trump Directs The Justice Department To Go After State Climate Laws" (The Hill)

Source: LA Times, 04/10/2025