Credit: palinchak/Big Stock Photo

Trump administration plans to overhaul Interior Department with budget cuts and policy reversals

President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming administration is gearing up to reverse Biden-era regulations and restructure the Interior Department, targeting federal workforce reductions and energy production policies.

Michael Doyle, Heather Richards and Scott Streater report for E&E News.

In short:

The Trump administration plans to accelerate oil and gas production on public lands while rescinding Biden-era environmental regulations.
Billionaire Elon Musk and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy will co-lead a new commission focused on slashing government spending and identifying inefficiencies in federal agencies, including Interior.
Critics warn that deep staff cuts could hinder key functions like permitting and renewable energy development, potentially backfiring on Trump's energy priorities.

Key quote:

It will “pave the way for my Administration to dismantle Government Bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure Federal Agencies.”

— Donald Trump, President-elect

Why this matters:

The Interior Department oversees vast natural resources and public lands critical to energy production and conservation. Proposed workforce cuts and deregulation efforts could significantly impact environmental protections, energy policy and Indigenous land rights.

www.eenews.net

Trump administration plans to overhaul Interior Department with budget cuts and policy reversals

New hires in Department of Energy challenge climate science consensus

Flood deaths rise in Texas as Trump slashes disaster preparedness and weather forecasting

Schumer calls for investigation into Texas flood response

New satellite data shows parts of New Orleans sinking rapidly, threatening flood defenses

Vulnerable communities hit hard by cancelation of climate grants

Denmark pushes to tie climate goals to European defense and economic strength

A customizable survival kit for climate-fueled disasters

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Pennsylvania health advocates say Trump’s first 100 days in office have caused “100 harms” to local communities

“They're terrorizing these scientists because they want to keep them silent.”

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.