The Biden administration is actively working to allocate climate and environment funds to states and finalize regulations to protect the planet. John Podesta, a senior White House adviser on clean energy, emphasized the urgency of the task, stating that there are approximately 72 days left to complete the necessary work.
Podesta highlighted the administration's commitment to disbursing funds allocated under Biden's climate law, the Inflation Reduction Act. As of late October, $103 billion of the law's total funding has been announced, with a focus on initiatives such as clean energy rebates, coastal community resilience, and pollution reduction in oil and gas operations.
Since the reelection of Donald Trump, the Biden administration has taken steps to limit oil drilling in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and enhance protections for the Greater Sage Grouse, whose habitat intersects with energy-rich lands in the West. These actions aim to reverse the rollback of species protections implemented during Trump's first term.
Key tasks remaining on the administration's agenda include the completion of a federal review by the Energy Department to assess the public interest implications of US liquefied natural gas exports. Additionally, the Environmental Protection Agency is yet to finalize California's federal waiver to establish its own emissions standards, with ongoing collaboration to address California's specific requirements.
Overall, the Biden administration is actively pursuing environmental and climate initiatives, with a focus on leveraging available funds, implementing regulations, and collaborating with states to advance sustainability goals.
