Trump's Transition Team Plans Major Environmental Changes

(Reuters) – U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's transition team has prepared executive orders to withdraw from the Paris climate agreement and reduce the size of certain national monuments, facilitating more drilling and mining, as reported by the New York Times on Friday.

Trump is also expected to resume permitting for new liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports to major markets in Asia and Europe, while revoking a waiver that permits California and other states to enact stricter pollution standards.

During his campaign, Trump committed to these actions. Karoline Leavitt, a spokeswoman for the Trump transition team, stated that the election results grant him a "mandate to implement the promises he made on the campaign trail. He will deliver."

President Joe Biden's administration had suspended approvals for new LNG exports in January to assess the environmental and economic effects. The U.S. Energy Department plans to release a draft updated analysis for a 60-day public comment period before the year ends, according to a department official.

Additionally, some transition team members are considering relocating the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) headquarters away from Washington, according to unnamed sources involved in the discussions.