The president issues broad climate executive order.
An executive order issued by President Biden Wednesday will have the government weigh climate impact in nearly everything it does.
He put a pause on new oil and gas leasing on federal lands. Federal agencies must also develop a plan to harden facilities and operations to the effects of climate change. His order directs federal agencies to “eliminate fossil fuel subsidies as consistent with applicable law” and find new ways to bolster clean energy development.
Under the president’s order, climate change is to be incorporated into infrastructure investment decisions also. The order seeks to ensure that every federally-funded infrastructure project “reduces climate pollution.” He is also calling for faster siting and permitting of clean energy and transmission projects “in an environmentally sustainable manner.”
His order establishes a number of new interagency working groups and councils aimed to giving help to regions that are supported by fossil fuel industries and prioritizing investments into minority and low-income people disproportionately affected by pollution.
The order goes further. The president is establishing climate change as a national threat, ordering his national intelligence director to examine how climate change affects national security. He has asked the State Department to commit the U.S. to another global climate deal by preparing an international agreement limiting greenhouse gas emitting coolant.
To accomplish his goals, the president must look to Congress for the resources but has confidence they will provide what is needed.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For God to work His will through the orders regarding climate change.
- For God’s purposes to be accomplished through the actions to protect the environment.
Sources: The Hill, The White House, Washington Examiner
