Air & Climate Report: January 2021
Welcome back to Troutman Pepper’s Air & Climate Report, our quarterly compilation of updates on air- and climate-related developments. We hope the information is helpful to you in navigating the fast-changing world of air and climate policy, regulation, and compliance.
With 2020 finally coming to a close, and the collective hope for a “normal” year almost palpable, 2021 has thus far failed to deliver. If anything, the ongoing crises facing the country have only grown more dire. But, with COVID vaccines on the way and the tumult of the recent election behind us, perhaps 2021 can yet break the fever of 2020.
One thing is certain: Air and climate policy is going to change drastically and soon. Not only does a new political party control the executive branch, that same party now controls the legislature — a consolidation of power that is likely to pave the way for swift and fundamental changes in national policy. Most importantly, the incoming administration appears far more prepared to hit the ground running than the previous one, having already issued numerous memoranda and orders focused on reversing much of what happened over the last four years.
First up on the environmental agenda will be installing new political leaders at EPA and other agencies. Michael Regan from the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality will take the top post at EPA, but President Biden has also tapped several veterans of the Obama EPA that include the authors of the Clean Power Plan — former EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy will be the new White House climate adviser, former Assistant Air Administrator Janet McCabe will be the new EPA deputy administrator, and former Senior Counsel Joseph Goffman will be the new principal deputy assistant administrator for Air. Once confirmed, this team is certain to take action on climate change and environmental justice, along with many other important air-related issues.
While we wait for the world to change, we hope everyone is safe and healthy and remains so throughout 2021, as the air and climate policy rollercoaster heads up the hill again.