Oregon Challenges Trump’s “Energy Emergency” Executive Order That Benefits Big Oil Donors
The Oregon Attorney General (AG), Dan Rayfield, has joined a 15-AG coalition in a lawsuit that seeks to have President Trump’s executive order (EO) declaring a national energy emergency and the use of it by federal agencies, the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP), declared illegal.
Trump declared a national energy emergency under the National Emergencies Act on Inauguration Day, despite the fact that Congress passed the Act to prevent presidents from declaring national emergencies for frivolous or partisan matters. According to Rayfield, this is exactly what the president has done.
Federal agencies are now bypassing or shortening critical reviews under the Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, and the Historic National Preservation Act for energy projects under Trump’s direction.
Given that these laws play a critical role in protecting the environment and human health, this leaves Oregon communities in the dark about risks to their health, homes, and environment.
The laws help prevent polluted drinking water, protect against toxic spills, and lessen the impact of natural disasters like flooding.
Federal agencies have only used emergency procedures during actual emergencies like hurricanes and catastrophic oil spills, but they are now acting under emergency procedures- following the president’s orders.
The US produces so much oil and natural gas that energy companies have no plans to increase output in response to the EO, as the country’s energy production is already at an all-time high.
However, Trump is seeking to boost exports, which, the US Department of Energy says, will increase prices for American consumers.
The EO excludes wind, solar, and batteries, which are among the cheapest and cleanest modern energy sources.
Rayfield said the only emergency is that the president disagrees with policies to address climate change and is using his emergency authorities illegally to keep the nation reliant on energy sources like coal, oil, and gas. “Big Oil” companies stand to benefit.
Rayfield said, “The end goal is clear: eliminate the competition so (Trump’s) oil and gas donors can keep gouging Oregonians and polluting the state.”
The lawsuit, filed in the US District Court for the Western District of Washington, names President Donald Trump and the heads of USACE and ACHP as defendants. Both agencies have taken illegal action to implement the president’s EO.