Democrats have found an opportunity to change climate policies after winning the midterm elections and controlling two-thirds of Congress. This victory comes after two years of anti-climate legislation by the Trump administration, during which President Trump withdrew from the Paris Agreement and took many actions to reduce oversight of the oil and gas industry.
Challenges Ahead for Democrats
However, it is expected that the coming years will not witness aggressive climate policies. Ken Gillingham, a professor of environmental and energy economics at Yale University, stated that although Democrats now have more control, "we will not reach ambitious climate actions" because President Trump still has veto power, and any action must pass this hurdle.
Jeffrey Henderson, a professor of environmental policy and planning at the University of Michigan, also said that Democrats have "a stronger hand to play" with this victory, although they cannot revert many previous laws to their original state.
Democrats' Priorities in Climate Policies
One priority could be restoring billions of dollars from climate budgets that President Trump has blocked. Chellie Pingree, a Democratic representative from Maine and a member of the House Appropriations Committee, has stated that she intends to force the government to spend this money.
Democrats can also focus on improving the permitting reform bill aimed at speeding up the permitting process for energy projects. This bill was likely to pass before the elections but included several provisions to reduce environmental regulations. Henderson said, "They can now request a better deal."
Support for domestic battery production is also expected to increase, which could be a crucial part of achieving clean energy goals. Gillingham noted that "there is interest in bringing the supply chain for electric vehicles back to the country, and this is almost bipartisan."
He also added that Democrats may seek to implement "comprehensive" climate policies that typically include provisions for oil and gas alongside clean energy growth.
Democrats also achieved full control in the states of Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, and Nevada. These victories pave the way for passing laws to regulate data centers, community solar energy permits, and requiring electric companies to store excess electricity.
The recent elections, which focused on energy affordability, also showed that climate change is no longer a taboo subject. Bethany Patton, executive director of the MIT Climate Policy Center, stated, "The results of this election create new opportunities and provide breathing space to bring the climate issue back into energy discussions."
Katherine Castor, a Democrat from Florida, and Marcy Kaptur, a Democrat from Ohio, are examples of successful candidates who clearly addressed climate change. Henderson said, "Their victories show that support for climate action is compatible with winning tough races, even in Republican states."
