President-elect Trump to Enter Office with GOP Sweep: Made official last Wednesday evening, Republicans will enjoy a full majority sweep in 2025 and will be ready to address their intended reforms to the U.S. energy system. Throughout the Biden Administration, congressional Republicans criticized implementation of climate investments from the Inflation Reduction Act, numerous emissions rules from the Department of Energy and EPA, and the billions spent in international climate project financing. Trump will likely reverse regulations to curb power plant, automotive, and oil sector emissions, likely rescind U.S. involvement in the Paris Climate Accord, and has nominated an industry executive to lead the Department of Energy. Permitting reform and corporate taxes will also be key agenda items in the new year.  

Trump Appoints Chris Wright for Energy Secretary: On Saturday, Trump appointed oil industry CEO and major donor Chris Wright for Secretary of Energy in his new Cabinet. Wright is head of the Denver-based Liberty Energy oilfield service company who has disputed the role of climate change in causing extreme weather.  

Trump Appoints Rep. Lee Zeldin for EPA Administrator: Donald Trump has named former U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-NY), one of his loudest House allies during his first term, to lead the EPA. Zeldin has followed the GOP position when it comes to climate rules. In 2015, he voted to nullify the Obama administration’s power plant climate rules. And in 2021, he opposed a resolution overturning a Trump-era repeal of methane rules for the oil and gas sector. During a run for governor of New York, he campaigned against attempts to limit natural gas use. While in Congress, Zeldin was a member of the bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus, Conservative Climate Caucus, and bipartisan PFAS Task Force.  

FERC to Respond to Transmission Rule Protests this Week: According to an agenda released last Thursday, the FERC plans to respond to protests against its landmark transmission order this week. FERC will need to address legal challenges the rule now faces, largely from red state utility regulators who fear the rule could force their ratepayers to shoulder the costs of large power lines. The proposed regulation requires transmission owners to build regional power lines based on forward-looking data showing where that transmission will be needed to reduce congestion costs and to connect new clean energy sources.

Energy Department Review of LNG Export Projects Expected Soon: The Biden Administration is set to release their assessment on the economic and climate impacts of LNG exports before the end of the year, even as President-elect Trump has promised to get new gas export permits approved as an early act in the White House. In order for recommendations based on the review to be finalized before Trump takes the presidency, the draft must be released this week.  

Department of Energy Announces $430 Million in Hydropower Investment: In September, DOE announced it had selected nearly 300 hydroelectric improvement projects to receive $430 million in incentive payments to upgrade their facilities. The IIJA funding will be used to upgrade turbines, replace generators, improve aging dam infrastructure, and lessen ecological impacts.  

Department of Energy Announces $428 Million in Coal Community Reinvestment: In October, DOE announced $428 million in infrastructure funds to projects aimed at growing domestic clean energy manufacturing in communities affected by coal mine or power plant closures. The 14 projects seek to create new opportunities in battery, generator, and grid manufacturing where fossil fuel plants have shuttered.  

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