Back To The Laboratories: U.S. State Climate Initiatives Amid Federal Transition

While federal policymaking has already begun to shift away from the climate change programs of the Obama and Biden administrations, many states are expected to continue pursuing expansive climate policies and building upon their existing initiatives, setting up potential conflicts with federal priorities. This article gives an overview of recent and anticipated developments on several climate-related issues that may prove significant during President Trump's second term.

Greenhouse Gas ("GHG") Reduction Targets: President Trump issued an executive order in the opening days of his administration withdrawing the United States from the Paris Agreement under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which sets international targets for GHG emission reductions by signatory nations. Shortly before the presidential transition and issuance of that executive order, a group of 24 state governors pledged to pursue GHG emission reduction goals under the Paris