Biden Vows to Take "Strong Executive Action" on Climate Change Amid Legislative Setbacks

Facing dual setbacks in his efforts to regulate carbon emissions and boost clean energy, President Joe Biden has pledged to take "strong executive action" to combat climate change. The Supreme Court recently limited the use of the nation's main anti-air pollution law to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from power plants, and Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) has announced that he wants to delay sweeping environmental legislation critical to achieving Biden's ambitious climate goals. Despite these hurdles, Biden remains committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by half by 2030 and has vowed to take decisive action to meet this moment.

Key Takeaways:

• President Biden has vowed to take "strong executive action" to combat climate change, despite Senate opposition to sweeping environmental legislation.
• The Supreme Court's recent ruling has limited the use of the Clean Air Act to regulate carbon dioxide emissions from power plants.
• Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) has requested to delay the climate provisions in the Senate bill, which would have reduced emissions by up to 40% by 2030.
• Advocates are urging Biden to use executive action to declare a national climate emergency, reinstate a ban on crude oil exports, and introduce other climate measures.
• Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) has suggested a series of executive actions, including a robust social cost of carbon rule and stronger pollution controls on cars and trucks.
• Biden is also being urged to reject all onshore and offshore drilling on federal lands and in federal waters, restrict approval of natural gas pipelines, and use technology to capture carbon dioxide emissions.
• The Biden administration has proposed tax credits for wind, solar, and nuclear energy, which could reduce emissions by up to 40% by 2030.
• Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) remains hopeful that the clean energy tax provisions can be salvaged after Manchin's request to postpone action.

Statistics:

• Reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030: 50% compared to 2005 levels
• Amount of climate spending in the original Democrats' plan: $555 billion
• Reduced climate spending in the slimmed-down plan: $300 billion
• Potential reduction in emissions by 2030: up to 40%
• Supreme Court's 6-3 vote in favor of limiting the Clean Air Act's authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions

Sources:

• AP News (via West Virginia MetroNews)
• Statements by President Joe Biden
• Interviews with Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.)
• Statements by Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.)
• Articles by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Indivisible, a progressive advocacy group.