In a move that has alarmed industry experts and reignited debates over executive power, White House officials are reportedly considering declaring a national climate emergency, according to a new report from Bloomberg.
According to unnamed sources familiar with the matter, President Joe Biden’s top advisers have been discussing the potential benefits and drawbacks of such an unprecedented step.
The idea of a climate emergency declaration is not new, having been previously considered by the Biden administration in 2022 when negotiations on clean-energy legislation appeared to be stalling.
However, the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act temporarily shelved the notion.
Now, as environmental activists demand bolder action to combat global warming, the White House is once again weighing its options.
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Proponents of the declaration argue that it would grant the president far-reaching powers to curb greenhouse gas emissions and stifle oil development.
These powers could include halting or limiting crude exports, suspending offshore drilling, and restricting the transportation of oil and gas via pipelines, ships, and trains.
Climate emergency declaration could enable the president to halt crude exports, suspend offshore drilling, and throttle the movement of oil and gas on pipelines, ships and trains — Bloomberghttps://t.co/4j3xijDlTS pic.twitter.com/4zFHvSlD8o
— JaguarAnalytics (@JaguarAnalytics) April 18, 2024
Supporters also believe that such a move would galvanize climate-minded voters, particularly young activists who played a crucial role in Biden’s 2020 election victory.
However, the idea has also faced criticism and skepticism.
Some White House advisers question whether a climate emergency declaration would provide Biden with enough newfound authority to make substantial changes.
Industry experts have warned that such measures could discourage investment in domestic oil production and lead to higher retail prices for consumers.
The renewed discussions come as youth activists, led by groups such as the Sunrise Movement, Fridays For Future USA, and the Campus Climate Network, plan nationwide protests around Earth Day. Aru Shiney-Ajay, the Sunrise Movement’s executive director, called on Biden to declare a climate emergency and “use every tool at his disposal to tackle the climate crisis and prepare our communities to weather the storm.”
Despite the ongoing discussions, White House officials have not made a final decision on the matter, and a declaration is not believed to be imminent.
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In response to inquiries, White House spokesperson Angelo Fernandez Hernandez emphasized President Biden’s existing policies and his commitment to building a clean energy future that benefits all Americans.
