Climate & Environment EO (E.O. 13990)

Summary

Directs federal agencies to review and reverse past actions that harm public health and the environment, and to take new steps to fight climate change.

What problem does this solve?

Previous government actions weakened protections for public health and the environment, ignoring science and making the climate crisis worse. This order requires agencies to review those actions, restore scientific decision-making, and take strong steps to reduce pollution and fight climate change.

What does this order do?

Revokes the permit for the Keystone XL pipeline

Immediately cancels the Presidential permit granted in March 2019 for the Keystone XL pipeline, stating it does not serve the U.S. national interest and is not consistent with climate goals.

Requires review of all agency actions from the last four years

Directs all federal agencies to immediately review regulations, orders, and policies from January 20, 2017, to January 20, 2021, and consider suspending, revising, or rescinding any that conflict with environmental and public health goals.

Pauses oil and gas leasing in the Arctic Refuge

Places a temporary moratorium on all federal activities related to the Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge due to legal and environmental concerns.

Restores protections for national monuments

Orders a review of the boundaries and conditions for the Bears Ears, Grand Staircase-Escalante, and Northeast Canyons and Seamounts National Monuments to determine if they should be restored to their January 20, 2017 status.

Establishes a working group on the social cost of greenhouse gases

Creates an interagency group to determine the full costs of climate pollution (carbon, methane, and nitrous oxide) to ensure federal agencies use accurate data in their decision-making.

Revokes multiple previous executive orders

Cancels numerous executive orders from the previous administration related to energy infrastructure, environmental reviews, and economic growth to align federal policy with the new climate goals.

Who does this affect?

Energy companies
Federal agencies
Communities affected by pollution

What is the real world impact?

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Reverses previous administration's environmental policies

Directs a full-scale review and reversal of environmental, climate, and public health regulations enacted between 2017 and 2021, aiming to undo the prior administration's legacy in these areas.

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Reasserts U.S. leadership on climate change

Aims to restore the country's credibility on the world stage by taking decisive action on climate issues, such as revoking the Keystone XL pipeline permit, to encourage other nations to increase their own climate goals.

When does this start?

This order took effect on January 20, 2021, and sets multiple deadlines for agency actions.

Interim Social Cost of Greenhouse Gases

Within 30 days of the order (by February 19, 2021), a working group must publish interim values for the social cost of carbon, nitrous oxide, and methane for agencies to use.

National Monuments Review Report

Within 60 days of the order (by March 21, 2021), the Secretary of the Interior must submit a report to the President on the review of national monument boundaries.

Review of Fuel Economy Standards

Relevant agencies must consider proposing revisions to the 'SAFE' Vehicles Rule Part One by April 2021 and the rule for model years 2021-2026 by July 2021.

New Methane Emission Regulations

The EPA should propose new regulations for methane emissions from existing oil and gas operations by September 2021.

Final Social Cost of Greenhouse Gases

The working group must publish final values for the social cost of carbon, nitrous oxide, and methane no later than January 2022.