Climate Deregulation Tracker Actions | Sabin Center for Climate Change Law

Date: 2/7/19
Action: DOE Proposes Repeal of Light Bulb Efficiency Regulation
Explanation: Regulatory action
Agency: DOE
Excerpt: DOE issued a proposal to repeal regulations that expanded the number of light bulbs subject to energy efficiency standards.

Date: 12/28/18
Action: BLM Proposes Oil and Gas Leasing Program in Arctic Refuge
Explanation: Management Plan
Agency: BLM
Excerpt: BLM is proposing to open up to 1.5 million acres of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for oil and gas drilling. Comments on the proposal and draft EIS are due Feb. 11.

Date: 12/7/18
Action: BLM Proposes to Open 9 Million Acres of Sage Grouse Habitat to Drilling and Mining
Explanation: Management Plan
Agency: BLM
Excerpt: BLM published proposed amendments to six resource management plans (RMPs) which would open up approximately 9 million acres of sage grouse habitat to oil and gas drilling and mining.

Date: 12/6/18
Action: EPA Proposes Less Stringent Emission Standards for New Coal Plants
Explanation: Regulatory action
Agency: EPA
Excerpt: EPA is proposing to increase the CO2 emission standard for new coal-fired power plants from 1,400 lbs per MWh to 1,900 lbs per MWh.

Date: 10/30/18
Action: EPA Proposes to Delay Compliance Timeframe for GHG Guidelines at Municipal Solid Waste Landfills
Explanation: Regulatory action
Agency: EPA
Excerpt: EPA proposed to postpone the deadline for state plans issued pursuant to the GHG emission guidelines for MSW landfills from May 30, 2017 to August 29, 2019.

Date: 10/1/18
Action: EPA Proposes to Rescind Refrigerant Leak Repair Provisions for HFCs
Explanation: Regulatory action
Agency: EPA
Excerpt: EPA issued a proposed rule to rescind the refrigerant leak repair provisions to HFCs, and requesting public comment on whether to rescind those provisions for other substitute refrigerants.

Date: 9/19/18
Action: BLM Repeals Key Provisions of Methane Waste Prevention Rule
Explanation: Regulatory action
Agency: BLM, DOI
Excerpt: BLM published a final rule repealing key provisions of the Methane Waste Prevention Rule and re-instating earlier regulations.

Date: 9/13/18
Action: USFS Proposes Regulations to Streamline Oil and Gas Permitting in National Forests
Explanation: Regulatory action
Agency: USDA,USFS
Excerpt: USFS published an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPR) in which it is seeking comment on how it should modify existing regulations to streamline and expedite the issuance of oil and gas permits on national forest lands.

Date: 9/11/18
Action: EPA Proposes Revisions to Methane NSPS for Oil and Gas Sector
Explanation: Regulatory action
Agency: EPA
Excerpt: EPA published proposed revisions to its New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) for controlling methane and other emissions from the oil and natural gas sector, which include significant changes to the leak detection and repair requirements for sources in this sector.

Date: 8/21/18
Action: EPA Publishes Proposed Replacement to Clean Power Plan
Explanation: Regulatory action
Agency: EPA
Excerpt: EPA published a proposed rule to regulate CO2 from power plants which is far less stringent than the Clean Power Plan.

Date: 8/2/18
Action: EPA and NHTSA Propose Rollback of Federal Clean Car Standards
Explanation: Regulatory action
Agency: DOT,EPA,NHTSA
Excerpt: EPA and NHTSA issued a proposal to weaken the greenhouse gas emission and fuel economy standards for light-duty vehicles MY 2021-2026.

Date: 7/25/18
Action: DOE Finalizes Rule to Expedite Approvals for "Small-Scale" Natural Gas Exports
Explanation: Regulatory action
Agency: DOE
Excerpt: DOE revised its regulations to provide that the department will approve natural gas exports to countries which which the US has not entered into a free trade agreement provided that the export application meets two criteria: the export volume does not exceed 51.75 billion cubic feet per year, and the DOE approval does not require preparation of an EIS or EA.

Date: 7/19/18
Action: FWS Proposes Changes to ESA Regulations Which Could Curtail Consideration of Future Climate Change Impacts on Species
Explanation: Regulatory action
Agency: FWS
Excerpt: FWS issued proposed changes to its Endangered Species Act (ESA) regulations which include provisions that would limit the extent to which FWS can rely on future climate change impacts as a basis for determining whether a species should be listed as a threatened species under the Act.

Date: 6/26/18
Action: EPA Proposes Renewable Fuels Standards for 2019 and 2020
Explanation: Regulatory action
Agency: EPA
Excerpt: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a proposed update to Renewable Fuel Standard Program for the years 2019 and 2020.

Date: 6/20/18
Action: CEQ Seeks Comments on Changes to NEPA Regulations
Explanation: Regulatory action
Agency: CEQ
Excerpt: CEQ issued an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeking public comments on potential revisions to update NEPA regulations. The deadline for comments is July 20, 2018.

Date: 6/19/18
Action: President Trump Issues Executive Order on the Management of Oceans, Coastlines, and the Great Lakes
Explanation: Executive Order
Agency: White House
Excerpt: President Trump issued an executive order which revokes EO 13547 (Stewardship of the Ocean, Our Coasts, and the Great Lakes) and establishes a policy of using coastal, ocean, and Great Lakes resources for energy production and other economic purposes.

Date: 6/8/18
Action: House Approves Bill Prohibiting the Use of Funds for Any Regulation or Guidance Related to the Social Cost of Carbon
Explanation: Congressional action
Agency
Excerpt: The U.S. House of Representatives approved an amended version of the fiscal 2019 energy and water spending bill (H.R. 5895) which includes a provision to prohibit the use of funds to prepare, propose, or promulgate any regulation or guidance related to the social cost of carbon. The Senate version of the bill has yet to advance to the floor.

Date: 6/7/18
Action: EPA Issues Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Cost-Benefit Analysis
Explanation: Regulatory action
Agency: EPA
Excerpt: EPA issued an advance notice of a proposed rulemaking to clarify the agency's approach to cost-benefit analysis. The proposed rulemaking has implications for how EPA will weigh costs and benefits in future climate regulations.

Date: 5/31/18
Action: Federal Highway Administration Repeals GHG Metric for Assessing Highway Performance
Explanation: Regulatory action
Agency: DOT,FHWA
Excerpt: The Federal Highway Administration repealed regulations establishing performance standards for state and regional highway projects. The regulations required, among other things, state and regional highway planners receiving federal funding to tally and report anticipated greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles traveling on their roads.

Date: 5/17/18
Action: President Issues Executive Order Revoking Federal Sustainability Plan
Explanation: Executive Order
Agency: White House
Excerpt: President Trump issued an Executive Order on federal agencies' compliance with statutory requirements related to energy and environmental performance. The order revokes Executive Order 13693: Planning for Federal Sustainability in the Next Decade (signed by President Obama on March 25, 2015).

Date: 4/30/18
Action: EPA Issues Proposal to Restrict Use of Science in Rulemaking
Explanation: Regulatory action
Agency: EPA
Excerpt: EPA issued a proposal which would restrict EPA, when issuing regulations, to relying only on scientific research for which the underlying data has been made available to the general public. Comments are due May 30, 2018.

Date: 4/13/18
Action: EPA Announces Plans to Revise and Lower GHG Standards for Light Duty Vehicles
Explanation: Regulatory action
Agency: EPA
Excerpt: EPA issued a Final Determination for its Mid-term Evaluation of Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards for Model Year 2022-2025 Light-duty Vehicles in which it announced plans to revise the standards to make them less stringent.

Date: 4/13/18
Action: EPA Publishes Notice Announcing It Will Not Enforce 2015 HFC Alternatives Rule
Explanation: Regulatory action
Agency: EPA
Excerpt: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a notice announcing that it will not enforce a 2015 rule prohibiting the use of HFCs with high GWP as substitutes for ozone-depleting substances (which had been partially vacated by the D.C. Circuit) and announcing plans to initiate a new notice-and-comment rulemaking process to address the remand of the rule.

Date: 2/22/18
Action: BLM Publishes Proposed Revisions to the Methane and Waste Prevention Rule
Explanation: Regulatory action
Agency: BLM
Excerpt: BLM published its proposed revisions to the 2016 Methane and Waste Prevention Rule. Comments on the proposal are due by April 23, 2018.

Date: 1/31/18
Action: BLM Issues Internal Policy to Streamline Oil and Gas Permitting
Explanation: Agency policy
Agency: BLM
Excerpt: BLM yesterday issued an instruction memorandum aimed at streamlining oil and gas development by eliminating the use of Master Leasing Plans a tool used by the Obama Administration to protect sensitive landscapes from oil and gas drilling.

Date: 1/4/18
Action: DOI Proposes Expansion of Offshore Oil and Gas Drilling
Explanation: Regulatory action
Agency: DOI
Excerpt: DOI proposed a new National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program for 2019-2024, which would make over ninety-percent of the outer continental shelf available for oil and gas development.

Date: 12/28/17
Action: EPA Issues Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to Replace Clean Power Plan
Explanation: Regulatory action
Agency: EPA
Excerpt: EPA published an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) in which it announced that it is considering proposing a rule to replace the Clean Power Plan. Comments must be received on or before February 26, 2018.

Date: 12/22/17
Action: HUD Withdraws Proposed Rule for Floodplain Management and Resilience
Explanation: Regulatory action
Agency: HUD
Excerpt: HUD is withdrawing a proposed rule aimed at improving floodplain management and building standards in the context of climate change.

Date: 12/22/17
Action: DOI Issues Order to Rescind Climate and Mitigation Policies
Explanation: Agency order,Agency policy
Agency: BLM,DOI
Excerpt: DOI issued Secretarial Order 3360, which rescinds the DOI's climate and mitigation policies and directs BLM to review the Draft Regional Mitigation Strategy for the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska and begin revisions to ensure it is consistent with the administration's energy dominance goals.

Date: 12/8/17
Action: BLM Issues Final Rule to Postpone Core Requirements of the Methane and Waste Prevention Rule
Explanation: Regulatory action
Agency: BLM
Excerpt: BLM published a final rule which postpones by one year many of the requirements of the 2016 Methane and Waste Prevention Rule.

Date: 11/8/17
Action: EPA Extends Comment Period for Proposal to Repeal Clean Power Plan, Announces Public Hearing on Nov. 28-29
Explanation: Regulatory action
Agency: EPA
Excerpt: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has published a federal register notice announcing that it is extending the comment deadline for the proposed repeal of the Clean Power Plan by 32 days to January 16, 2018.

Date: 10/10/17
Action: EPA Proposes to Rescind Clean Power Plan
Explanation: Regulatory action
Agency: EPA
Excerpt: EPA published a notice of proposed rulemaking in which it proposed to repeal the Clean Power Plan.

Date: 10/5/17
Action: BLM Proposes to Suspend Key Requirements of Methane Waste Prevention Rule
Explanation: Regulatory action
Agency: BLM,DOI
Excerpt: BLM has issued a proposal to temporarily suspend or delay some of the key requirements of the Methane Waste Prevention Rule until Jan. 17, 2019. Comment deadline: Nov. 6, 2017.

Date: 10/5/17
Action: FHWA Proposes to Rescind Greenhouse Gas Reporting Requirements for State and Regional Highway Planners
Explanation: Regulatory action
Agency: DOT,FHWA
Excerpt: FHWA is proposing to repeal requirements for tracking and reporting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from national highways. Comment deadline: November 6, 2017.

Date: 9/7/17
Action: OIRA Directs Agencies to Develop Regulatory Allowances Pursuant to 2-for-1 Executive Order
Explanation: Memorandum
Agency: OIRA,OMB
Excerpt: OIRA issued a memorandum directing agencies to develop regulatory allowances for FY2018, pursuant to Executive Order 13771: Reducing Regulation and Controlling Regulatory Costs (Jan. 30, 2017).

Date: 8/25/17
Action: Unified Agenda Lists Planned Deregulatory Actions
Explanation: Regulatory action
Agency: DOI,EPA
Excerpt: The Fall 2017 update to the Unified Agenda of Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions lists a variety of planned actions to rescind or revise regulations aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Date: 8/21/17
Action: Administration Disbands Climate Science Advisory Committee
Explanation: Agency order
Agency: NOAA
Excerpt: The Trump Administration decided not to renew the charter of the the federal advisory panel for the National Climate Assessment (NCA).

Date: 8/15/17
Action: President Issues Executive Order To Expedite Infrastructure Reviews, Revoke Flood Management Standard
Explanation: Executive Order
Agency: White House
Excerpt: President Trump issued an Executive Order which directs agencies to expedite environmental reviews for infrastructure projects with the goal of completing all Federal environmental reviews and authorization decisions for major infrastructure projects within 2 years. The new order also revokes Executive Order 13690: Establishing a Federal Flood Risk Management Standard and a Process for Further Soliciting and Considering Stakeholder Input (signed by President Obama on January 30, 2015).

Date: 8/10/17
Action: EPA and NHTSA Open Public Comment Period for Reconsideration of Light Duty Emission Standards MY 2022-2025, Expand Review to Include MY 2021
Explanation: Regulatory action
Agency: DOT,EPA,NHTSA
Excerpt: EPA and NHTSA opened a public comment period on the reconsideration of the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions standards for cars and light trucks for model years (MY) 2022-2025. EPA is also taking comment on whether the MY 2021 standards are appropriate. Public comments will be accepted for 45 days after this announcement is published in the Federal Register.

Date: 8/4/17
Action: Trump Administration Notifies UN of Intent to Withdraw U.S. From Paris Agreement
Explanation: International commitments
Agency: State
Excerpt: The Trump administration submitted a communication to the United Nations regarding the President's intent to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris Agreement as soon as it is eligible to do so.

Date: 7/26/17
Action: NHTSA Announces Environmental Review of New Fuel Economy Standards for MY 2022-2025 Vehicles
Explanation: Regulatory action
Agency: NHTSA
Excerpt: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced that it would prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) to assess the potential environmental impacts of new Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards it is proposing to adopt for model year 2022-2025 passenger cars and light trucks. The NHTSA has initiated a scoping process, aimed at identifying - read more

Date: 7/20/17
Action: Trump Administration Releases Unified Agenda of Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions
Explanation: Regulatory action
Agency: All
Excerpt: The Trump Administration released its Unified Agenda of Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions. The Agenda, which was prepared by the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, identifies regulations proposed to be promulgated or revised by federal agencies in the short- and long-term. Regulations proposed for revision include: the Environmental Protection Agency's carbon dioxide emissions standards for new fossil fuel- read more

Date: 7/12/17
Action: NHTSA Delays and Reconsiders Rule Establishing Civil Penalties for Fuel Efficiency Violations
Explanation: Regulatory action
Agency: DOT,NHTSA
Excerpt: NHTSA has delayed indefinitely the effective date of an Obama-era rule to increase penalties on automakers that don't meet fuel efficiency standards, pending its reconsideration of the rule. NHTSA is accepting comments on the rule reconsideration through October 10, 2017.

Date: 7/11/17
Action: Report of House Appropriations Committee Advises DOE Not to Use Social Cost of Carbon in Rulemaking
Explanation: Congressional action
Agency
Excerpt: In its report on the 2018 Energy and Water Development Appropriations bill, issued on July 11, 2017, the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations indicated that: The Department [of Energy] should not promulgate any regulations in fiscal year 2018 using the May 2013 estimates for the social cost of carbon until a new working group- read more

Date: 6/30/17
Action: FWS Delists Yellowstone Grizzly, Dismissing Threat Posed by Climate Change
Explanation: Regulatory action
Agency: FWS
Excerpt: The Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) published a final notice in the federal register announcing its decision to remove the Yellowstone Grizzly from the list of endangered and threatened species under the Endangered Species Act, based in part on its determination that climate change does not pose an immediate or foreseeable threat to the population segment.

Date: 6/26/17
Action: NOAA Identifies 12 Marine Protected Areas to Review in Accordance With Offshore Oil and Gas Directive
Explanation: Regulatory action
Agency: NOAA
Excerpt: NOAA has identified a proposed list of twelve National Marine Sanctuaries and National Marine Monuments that it intends to review pursuant to Executive Order 13795: Implementing an America-First Offshore Energy Strategy (April 28, 2017), which directs NOAA to identify marine protected areas that were designated or expanded in the past ten years and to report back on the opportunity costs associated with potential energy and mineral exploration and production in those areas. Comments on the proposed list and NOAA's review will be accepted through July 26, 2017.

Date: 6/22/17
Action: DOI Seeks Input on Rules to Repeal, Replace, or Modify
Explanation: Regulatory action
Agency: DOI
Excerpt: DOI is seeking public input on regulations that may be appropriate for repeal, replacement, or modification, consistent with President Trump's Executive Order on Promoting Energy Independent and Economic Growth. DOI has stated that no deadline for the receipt of comments on this effort has been established at this time and that it will review comments on an ongoing basis.

Date: 6/19/17
Action: DOI and NPS Rescind Policy for Managing National Parks in Context of Continuous Change
Explanation: Agency policy
Agency: DOI,NPS
Excerpt: DOI and NPS rescinded NPS Director's Order #100, which established policies to manage NPS resources on the basis of science and in the context of continuous change.

Date: 6/16/17
Action: EPA Proposes 2 Year Stay of Emission Standards for Oil and Gas Sector
Explanation: Regulatory action
Agency: EPA
Excerpt: EPA issued a proposal to stay for two years certain core requirements of the NSPS for the Oil and Gas Sector (which covers methane as well as VOCs). Comments on the proposed stay are due on July 17, 2017.

Date: 6/15/17
Action: BLM postpones the compliance dates for Methane Waste Rule
Explanation: Regulatory action
Agency: BLM,DOI
Excerpt: BLM issued a federal register notice announcing that it was postponing the compliance dates for certain provisions of the Methane Waste Prevention Rule (finalized on November 10, 2016), which aims to reduce waste of natural gas (methane) from oil and natural gas production activities on federal and tribal land.

Date: 6/14/17
Action: EPA Halts Development of Emission Guidelines for the Existing Oil and Natural Gas Sector
Explanation: Regulatory action
Agency: EPA
Excerpt: EPA decided not to proceed with the development of methane emission guidelines for existing oil and gas sources.

Date: 6/5/17
Action: EPA Issues Notice of Stay and Reconsideration of Additional Provisions of Oil and Gas Emission Standards
Explanation: Regulatory action
Agency: EPA
Excerpt: EPA issued a notice stating that it is granting reconsideration of certain requirements in the in the New Source Performance Standards for the Oil and Gas Sector (which covers emission standards for methane as well as VOCs), specifically the well site pneumatic pumps standards and the requirements for certification by professional engineer.

Date: 6/1/17
Action: President Trump Announces Withdrawal From Paris Agreement
Explanation: International commitments
Agency: White House
Excerpt: President Trump has announced his intention to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris Agreement - the global compact which implements the objectives of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Date: 5/26/17
Action: DOE Confirms That it Will Not Withdraw Energy Conservation Standards for Residential Central Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps
Explanation: Regulatory action
Agency: DOE
Excerpt: On May 26, 2017, DOE published a notice confirming the adoption of the energy conservation standards for residential air conditioners and heat pumps. DOE noted that it had determined that the comments received in response to that direct final rule do not provide a reasonable basis for withdrawing it.

Date: 5/24/17
Action: DOE Announces Effective Date for Energy Efficiency Standard for Ceiling Fans
Explanation: Regulatory action
Agency: DOE
Excerpt: DOE published a notice in the Federal Register confirming that there will be no further delays in the implementation of the energy efficiency standards for ceiling fans and that the effective date of the energy efficiency standard for ceiling fans will be September 30, 2017.

Date: 5/23/17
Action: Trump Releases Proposed Budget for FY 2018
Explanation: Budget action
Agency: White House
Excerpt: President Trump released a proposed budget for FY 2018 which includes significant cuts to climate change and clean energy programs.

Date: 5/22/17
Action: EPA Stays Rules Establishing Methane Standards for Landfills
Explanation: Regulatory action
Agency: EPA
Excerpt: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a 90-day administrative stay of two rules that established methane emission standards for new and existing landfills, pending its reconsideration of the rules pursuant to EO 13783: Promoting Energy Independence and Economic Growth.

Date: 5/19/17
Action: Federal Highway Administration Delays GHG Metric for Assessing Highway Performance
Explanation: Regulatory action
Agency: DOT,FHWA
Excerpt: The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) indefinitely delayed the effective date of a climate metric which would have required state and regional highway planners receiving federal funding to tally and report anticipated greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles traveling on their roads.

Date: 5/11/17
Action: DOI Initiates Review of National Monuments Under Trump Directive
Explanation: Regulatory action
Agency: DOI
Excerpt: DOI announced that it is is conducting a review of certain National Monuments designated or expanded since 1996 under the Antiquities Act of 1906 in order to implement Executive Order 13792 on the Review of Designations Under the Antiquities Act (April 26, 2017).

Date: 5/8/17
Action: OMB Releases Guidance on Energy Independence Executive Order
Explanation: Guidance
Agency: OMB
Excerpt: The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has released a guidance document describing how agencies should implement President Trump's Executive Order on Promoting Energy Independence and Economic Growth (March 28, 2017).

Date: 5/3/17
Action: House Bill Introduced to Create a Bipartisan Commission on Climate Action
Explanation: Congressional action
Agency
Excerpt: Rep. John Delaney (D-MD-6) introduced H.R.2326 To accelerate reductions in climate pollution in order to leave a better planet for future generations, and to create a bipartisan commission to develop economically viable policies to achieve science-based emissions reduction targets.

Date: 5/1/17
Action: DOI Issues Orders Aimed at Promoting Fossil Fuel Development, Implementing Trump Policies
Explanation: Agency order
Agency: DOI
Excerpt: DOI signed two secretarial orders (Nos. 3350 and 3351) aimed at removing barriers to fossil fuel development on public lands and waters.

Date: 4/28/17
Action: Trump Signs Executive Order to Expand Offshore Drilling
Explanation: Executive Order
Agency: Commerce,DOI
Excerpt: President Trump signed an Executive Order on Implementing an America-First Offshore Energy Strategy which contains several directives aimed at expanding offshore drilling. Most notably, it revokes Obama-era decisions to withdraw certain areas of the OCS in Alaska and the Atlantic Cost from leasing and directs the Department of Interior to consider revising the lease schedules for those and other OCS areas to allow oil and gas production to the maximum extent permitted by law.

Date: 4/26/17
Action: Trump Issues Executive Order Demanding Review of National Monuments
Explanation: Executive Order
Agency: DOI
Excerpt: President Trump issued an Executive Order on the Review of Designations Under the Antiquities Act, which directs the Secretary of the Interior to review national monuments that were designated in the past 21 years to determine whether such monument designations contradict the objectives of the Antiquities Act or create barriers to achieving energy independence, restrict public access to and use of Federal lands, burden State, tribal, and local governments, and otherwise curtail economic growth.

Date: 4/18/17
Action: EPA Intends to Reconsider Fugitive Emission Standards for Oil and Gas Sector
Explanation: Regulatory action
Agency: EPA
Excerpt: In a letter dated April 18, 2017, EPA announced that it would convene a process for reconsidering the fugitive emission requirements at well sites and compressor station sites in the NSPS for the Oil and Gas Sector.

Date: 4/13/17
Action: EPA Seeks Input on Rules to Repeal, Replace or Modify
Explanation: Regulatory action
Agency: EPA
Excerpt: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a Federal Register notice seeking public input on regulations that may be appropriate for repeal, replacement, or modification. This input is intended to help inform EPA's response to President Trump's Executive Order on Promoting Energy Independence and Economic Growth. Comments will be accepted through May 15, 2017.

Date: 4/5/17
Action: CEQ Withdraws Guidance on NEPA and Climate Change
Explanation: Guidance
Agency: CEQ
Excerpt: The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) published a notice in the Federal Register announcing the withdrawal of its Final Guidance on Consideration of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and the Effects of Climate Change in NEPA Reviews.

Date: 4/5/17
Action: OIRA Issues Final Guidance for Implementing Executive Order on Reducing Regulatory Costs
Explanation: Guidance
Agency: All,OIRA
Excerpt: The Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) issued final guidance on the implementation of Executive Order 13771: Reducing Regulation and Controlling Regulatory Costs.

Date: 4/4/17
Action: EPA Initiates Review of Clean Power Plan
Explanation: Regulatory action
Agency: EPA
Excerpt: EPA published a notice in the Federal Register announcing that it is reviewing and, if appropriate will initiate proceedings to suspend, revise or rescind the Clean Power Plan.

Date: 4/4/17
Action: EPA Initiates Review of GHG Standards for New and Modified Power Plants
Explanation: Regulatory action
Agency: EPA
Excerpt: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a notice in the Federal Register announcing that it is reviewing and, if appropriate, will initiate proceedings to suspend, revise or rescind the Standards of Performance for Greenhouse Gas Emissions From New, Modified, and Reconstructed Electric Generating Units

Date: 4/4/17
Action: EPA Initiates Review of Methane Standards for Oil and Gas Sector
Explanation: Regulatory action
Agency: EPA
Excerpt: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a notice in the Federal Register announcing that it is reviewing and, if appropriate, will initiate proceedings to suspend, revise or rescind the methane emission standards for new and modified oil and gas facilities.

Date: 4/3/17
Action: EPA Withdraws Proposed Rules that Accompanied Clean Power Plan
Explanation: Regulatory action
Agency: EPA
Excerpt: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) withdrew two proposed rules that would have supplemented the Clean Power Plan final rule and provided support for the development of state plans: (i) a rule establishing federal plans and model rules for implementing the GHG emission guidelines for existing power plants, and (ii) a rule concerning details of the Clean Energy Incentive Program (CEIP).

Date: 3/30/17
Action: Democratic Lawmakers Introduce Legislation to Overturn Trump's Executive Order on Climate Change
Explanation: Congressional action
Agency: All,BLM,DOI,EPA
Excerpt: Thirty-six house democrats introduced a bill to overturn President Trump's Promoting Energy Independence and Economic Growth order. The Congressional Leadership in Mitigating Administration Threats to the Earth (CLIMATE) Act (H.R. 1812) declares the president's document null and void and would prohibit federal funds for implementing, administering or enforcing it. Democratic senators have also introduced companion legislation.

Date: 3/29/17
Action: DOI Issues Orders to Terminate Coal Leasing Moratorium and Environmental Review, Reconsider Climate Change Policies and Guidance
Explanation: Agency order
Agency: DOI
Excerpt: U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke signed two secretarial orders aimed at implementing President Trump's Executive Order on Promoting Energy Independence and Economic Growth. Secretarial Order 3348 revokes Secretarial Order 3338, thus terminating the moratorium on federal coal leasing as well as the programmatic environmental review of the federal coal leasing program. Secretarial Order 3349 calls for a reexamination of the mitigation and climate change policies and guidance that the Department of Interior issued during the Obama administration, as well as all regulations related to U.S. oil and natural gas development.

Date: 3/28/17
Action: Trump Issues Executive Order on Climate Change
Explanation: Executive Order
Agency: All,BLM,DOI,EPA
Excerpt: President Trump issued an executive order aimed at dismantling many of the key actions undertaken at the federal level to address climate change. The order directs EPA to review and potentially rescind or re-write important regulations such as the Clean Power Plan (CO2 emission standards for existing power plants), CO2 emission standards for new power plants, and methane emission standards for the oil and gas sector. It also revokes a number of executive orders and actions, including: guidance on calculating the social costs of greenhouse gas emissions, an imposing a moratorium on federal coal leasing, and guidance on how to account for climate change in environmental reviews.

Date: 3/27/17
Action: Trump Signs Resolution to Repeal BLM Planning 2.0 Rule
Explanation: Congressional action
Agency: BLM
Excerpt: President Trump signed a CRA resolution to repeal BLM's Planning 2.0 Rule, a regulation aimed at improve BLM's ability to respond to changing conditions (including those caused by climate change) and implement landscape-level management approaches that transcend traditional administrative boundaries. With Trump's approval, the resolution will now become law and the Planning 2.0 rule will be repealed.

Date: 3/24/17
Action: Keystone XL Pipeline Approved
Explanation: Project approval
Agency: State
Excerpt: The Department of State issued a Presidential permit to TransCanada authorizing the construction and operation of the Keystone XL pipeline segment at the U.S.-Canadian border.

Date: 3/21/17
Action: FHWA Postpones Rule Establishing GHG Reporting Standards for Federal Highway Projects
Explanation: Regulatory action
Agency: DOT,FHWA
Excerpt: The Federal Highway Administration (FHA) has postponed the effective date of a rule establishing natural performance management standards for federal highway projects until . The rule requires local and state transportation planners to measure and account for the greenhouse gas emissions of highway projects that receive federal funding.

Date: 3/20/17
Action: DOE Postpones Five Energy Efficiency and Conservation Rules
Explanation: Regulatory action
Agency: DOE
Excerpt: The Department of Energy (DOE) has announced the further postponement of five energy efficiency and conservation rules, including test procedures for walk-in coolers and freezers, central air conditioners and heat pumps, and compressors, and conservation standards for ceiling fans and construction standards for federal buildings.

Date: 3/16/17
Action: Trump Releases Budget Proposal That Would Would Slash Funding for Climate Programs
Explanation: Budget action
Agency: All
Excerpt: President Trump released a budget proposal that would eliminate funding for many climate change-related programs, including the Clean Power Plan, the UNFCCC and international climate funds, the Energy Star program, clean energy research, and NASA earth science research.

Date: 3/15/17
Action: House Republicans Introduce Resolution Calling for Action on Climate Change
Explanation: Congressional action
Agency
Excerpt: A group of seventeen House republicans introduced a resolution calling for action on climate change. The resolution acknowledges that human activities contribute to climate and outlines a commitment to study and address the causes and effects of measured changes to our global and regional climates, including mitigation efforts and efforts to balance human activities that have been found to have an impact.

Date: 3/15/17
Action: EPA and NHTSA Announce Decision to Reconsider GHG Standards for Light Duty Vehicles
Explanation: Regulatory action
Agency: EPA,NHTSA
Excerpt: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced their intention to reconsider the greenhouse gas emission standards for light duty vehicles model years 2022-2025. The decision reverses course from EPA's January 2017 determination that no change in the standards was warranted.

Date: 3/10/17
Action: Senate Rejects CRA Resolution to Repeal Methane Waste Rule
Explanation: Congressional action
Agency: BLM
Excerpt: The Senate voted against a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution (S.J. Res 11) to repeal the Bureau of Land Management (BLM)'s methane waste prevention rule using the Congressional Review Act (CRA).

Date: 3/7/17
Action: Senate Votes to Repeal BLM Planning 2.0 Rule
Explanation: Congressional action
Agency: BLM
Excerpt: The Senate passed a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution (H.J. Res. 44) to overturn the Bureau of Land Management (BLM)'s Planning 2.0 Rule. BLM had adopted the Planning 2.0 rule to improve it's ability to respond to changing conditions and implement landscape-level management approaches that transcend traditional administrative boundaries. One key goal was to make it easier for BLM to respond and adapt to the impacts of climate change on public lands.

Date: 3/2/17
Action: EPA Withdraws Request for Oil and Gas Industry to Submit Data on Methane Controls
Explanation: Regulatory action
Agency: EPA
Excerpt: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it has withdrawn a 2016 Information Collection Request (ICR) which directed existing oil and gas facilities and operators to provide data needed to help the agency determine how to best reduce methane and other harmful emissions from existing sources in the large and complex oil and natural gas industry.

Date: 3/1/17
Action: House Passes SCRUB Act Aimed at Reducing Economically Burdensome Regulations
Explanation: Congressional action
Agency: All
Excerpt: The House voted to pass H.R. 998, the Searching for and Cutting Regulations that are Unnecessarily Burdensome (SCRUB) Act. The Act calls for the establishment of a commission that would review and propose regulations for repeal based on considerations pertaining to the utility and economic impacts of the regulation. It also directs agencies to ensure that the costs of new rules are offset by the repeal of old rules.

Date: 2/24/17
Action: Trump Signs Executive Order on Enforcing the Regulatory Reform Agenda
Explanation: Executive Order
Agency: All
Excerpt: President Trump signed a new executive order aimed at implementing and enforcing the President's deregulatory agenda. It calls for the establishment of Regulatory Reform Task Forces to identify regulations for repeal, replacement, or modification, as well as Regulatory Reform Officers to oversee the deregulation process.

Date: 2/13/17
Action: FHWA Postpones Rule Establishing GHG Reporting Standards for Federal Highway Projects
Explanation: Regulatory action
Agency: DOT,FHWA
Excerpt: The Federal Highway Administration (FHA) postponed the effective date of a rule establishing natural performance management standards for federal highway projects until March 21, 2017, in accordance with the regulatory freeze issued by the White House on January 21, 2017. The postponed rule requires local and state transportation planners to measure and account for the greenhouse gas emissions of highway projects that receive federal funding.

Date: 2/8/17
Action: USACE Issues Easement for Construction of Dakota Access Pipeline
Explanation: Project approval
Agency: USACE
Excerpt: The Army Corps of Engineers granted an easement for construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline, following Trump's presidential memorandum (Jan 24, 2017) instructing the agency to take all actions necessary and appropriate to expedite the approval of the pipeline.

Date: 2/7/17
Action: Senate Bill Introduced to Allow States to Control Development of Energy Resources on Federal Land
Explanation: Congressional action
Agency: BLM,USFS
Excerpt: Sen. Inhofe (R-OK) introduced a bill (S.335) to achieve domestic energy independence by empowering States to control the development and production of all forms of energy on all available Federal land.

Date: 2/7/17
Action: Senate Bill Introduced to Amend Mineral Leasing Act to Recognize Authority of States to Regulate Oil and Gas Operations
Explanation: Congressional action
Agency: BLM,OSMRE
Excerpt: Sen. Hatch (R-UT) introduced a bill (S.316) to amend the Mineral Leasing Act to recognize the authority of States to regulate oil and gas operations and promote American energy security, development, and job creation, and for other purposes.

Date: 2/7/17
Action: Bill Introduced in House to Eliminate EPA Programs
Explanation: Congressional action
Agency: EPA
Excerpt: Rep. Johnson (R-TX-3) introduced a bill (H.R.958) to eliminate certain programs of the Environmental Protection Agency, and for other purposes.

Date: 2/7/17
Action: House Votes to Repeal BLM Planning 2.0 Rule
Explanation: Congressional action
Agency: BLM
Excerpt: The House passed a resolution (H.J.Res.44) to overturn the Bureau of Land Management (BLM)'s Planning 2.0 rule using the Congressional Review Act (CRA).

Date: 2/3/17
Action: House Approves Resolution to Repeal BLM Methane Rule
Explanation: Congressional action
Agency: BLM
Excerpt: The House passed a resolution (H.J. Res. 36) to repeal the Bureau of Land Management (BLM)'s methane waste prevention rule using the Congressional Review Act (CRA).

Date: 2/3/17
Action: House Introduces Bill to Terminate Environmental Protection Agency
Explanation: Congressional action
Agency: EPA
Excerpt: Rep. Gaetz (R-FL-1) introduced a bill (H.R. 861) to terminate the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Date: 2/3/17
Action: Senate Introduces Resolution to Overturn Cross-State Air Pollution Rule Update to 2008 NAAQS
Explanation: Congressional action
Agency: EPA
Excerpt: A joint resolution was introduced in the Senate (S.J.Res. 21) to overturn the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR) update to the 2008 Ozone national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) using the Congressional Review Act (CRA).

Date: 2/2/17
Action: House Introduces Resolution to Support Implementation of Paris Pledges
Explanation: Congressional action
Agency
Excerpt: A resolution was introduced in the House (H.Res.85) expressing the commitment of the House to continue to support pledges made by the United States in the Paris Agreement.

Date: 2/2/17
Action: OIRA Issues Interim Guidance for Implementing Executive Order on Reducing Regulatory Costs
Explanation: Guidance
Agency: All,OIRA
Excerpt: The Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) issued Interim Guidance Implementing Section 2 of the Executive Order of January 30, 2017, Titled Reducing Regulation and Controlling Regulatory Costs.

Date: 2/2/17
Action: Bipartisan Bills Introduced to Streamline Renewable Energy Development on Federal Lands
Explanation: Congressional action
Agency: BLM,USFS
Excerpt: The Public Land Renewable Energy Development Act of 2017 was introduced in both the house and senate today (H.R. 825 / S. 282). The bill, which has bipartisan support, is aimed at promoting and streamlining the development of renewable energy resources on public lands.

Date: 2/2/17
Action: DOE Postpones Five Energy Efficiency and Conservation Standards
Explanation: Regulatory action
Agency: DOE
Excerpt: The Department of Energy (DOE) has postponed the effective date of five energy efficiency and conservation standards until March 21, consistent with a recent memorandum calling for a freeze of new and pending regulations. The postponed rules include test procedures for walk-in coolers and freezers, central air conditioners and heat pumps, and compressors, and conservation standards for ceiling fans and construction standards for federal buildings.

Date: 2/1/17
Action: Bills Introduced in House and Senate to Delay Implementation of 2015 Ozone Standards
Explanation: Congressional action
Agency: EPA
Excerpt: Two bills were introduced in the Senate (S.263) and House (H.R.806) to delay implementation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)'s 2015 Ozone Standards.

Date: 2/1/17
Action: Trump Issues Statement Confirming That He Will Approve Congressional Repeal of BLM Methane Rule and Other Regulations
Explanation: Statement of Administration Policy
Agency: BLM
Excerpt: President Trump issued a statement confirming that he plans to approve five congressional resolutions to repeal Obama-era regulations under the Congressional Review Act, including the resolution to repeal the BLM methane rule.

Date: 1/31/17
Action: House Introduces Bill to Limit Renewable Fuel Mandates
Explanation: Congressional action
Agency: EPA
Excerpt: _A bill (H.R. 776) was introduced in the house to require that until a comprehensive study is completed, the volume of cellulosic biofuel mandated under the renewable fuel program be limited to what is commercially available.

Date: 1/31/17
Action: Department of Energy Withdraws Final Rule Implementing Energy Efficiency Standards for Manufactured Housing
Explanation: Regulatory action
Agency: DOE
Excerpt: The Department of Energy (DOE) has withdrawn a final rule to implement the requirement under the Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) of 2007 to establish energy conservation standards for manufactured housing, pursuant to President Trump's memorandum calling for a regulatory freeze pending review of regulations.

Date: 1/30/17
Action: House Introduces Resolution to Repeal BLM Planning 2.0 Rule
Explanation: Congressional action
Agency: BLM
Excerpt: A joint resolution was introduced in the House (H.J.Res.44) to overturn the Bureau of Land Management (BLM)'s Planning 2.0 rule using the Congressional Review Act (CRA).

Date: 1/30/17
Action: House Introduces Resolution to Repeal BLM Methane Rule
Explanation: Congressional action
Agency: BLM
Excerpt: House republicans introduced a resolution (H.J. Res. 36) to repeal the Bureau of Land Management (BLM)'s methane waste prevention rule using the Congressional Review Act (CRA).

Date: 1/30/17
Action: Trump Issues Executive Order on Reducing Regulation and Controlling Regulatory Costs
Explanation: Executive Order
Agency: All
Excerpt: President Trump signed an executive order instructing agencies to identify two regulations to repeal for every new regulation and to ensure that the total incremental cost of all new regulations is no greater than zero.

Date: 1/26/17
Action: Small Business Administration Withdraws Proposed Rule Applying Federal Flood Risk Management Standards to Disaster Loan Program
Explanation: Regulatory action
Agency: SBA
Excerpt: The Small Business Association (SBA) has withdrawn a proposed rule to apply federal flood risk management standards (FFRMS) to SBA disaster loans, pursuant to President Trump's memorandum calling for a regulatory freeze pending review of regulations.

Date: 1/26/17
Action: Department of Transportation Withdraws Proposed Rule Establishing a National Tire Fuel Efficiency Consumer Information Program
Explanation: Regulatory action
Agency: DOT
Excerpt: The Department of Transportation (DOT) has withdrawn a proposed rule that would implement the requirement under the Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) of 2007 to establish a national tire fuel efficiency consumer information program for replacement tires designed for use on motor vehicles. DOT undertook this action pursuant to President Trump's memorandum calling for a regulatory freeze pending review of regulations.

Date: 1/24/17
Action: House Introduces Bill to Prohibit U.S. Contributions to International Climate Funds
Explanation: Congressional action
Agency
Excerpt: Rep. Luetkemeyer (R-MO-3) introduced a bill (H.R. 673) to prohibit United States contributions to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and the Green Climate Fund.

Date: 1/24/17
Action: Trump Calls for Expedited Approval of Keystone and Dakota Access Pipelines
Explanation: Presidential Memorandum
Agency: DOI,State,USACE
Excerpt: President Trump issued two presidential memoranda instructing the Secretary of the Army to take all actions necessary and appropriate to expedite the approval of the Keystone XL and Dakota Access Pipelines.

Date: 1/24/17
Action: House Introduces Bill to Prevent Federal Agencies From Regulating Greenhouse Gases Under Existing Laws
Explanation: Congressional action
Agency: EPA,FWS,NMFS
Excerpt: Rep. Gary Palmer (R-AL-6) introduced a bill entitled Stopping EPA Overreach Act of 2017 (H.R. 637). The purpose of the bill is to prevent EPA and other agencies from using their existing statutory authority federal to regulate greenhouse gases.

Date: 1/20/17
Action: Regulatory Freeze Delays New Energy Efficiency, Renewable Fuel Standards
Explanation: Presidential Memorandum
Agency: DOE,EPA,White House
Excerpt: The Trump Administration issued a Presidential Memorandum entitled Regulatory Freeze Pending Review which directs all agencies to postpone the publication of new and pending regulations to give the administration time to review those regulations. The freeze affects the latest renewable fuel standards from EPA as well as energy efficiency standards recently finalized by DOE.