Trump's Environmental Rollbacks: The Complete Tracker
Track 100+ Trump environmental rollbacks by area, status, and source. Clear summaries, linked evidence, and a CSV to speed your research.
Trump's Environmental Rollbacks: The Complete Tracker
This page tracks major changes to U.S. climate and environmental rules under President Trump. It shows what changed, why it matters, and where each item stands now. Everything here links to a trusted source so you can verify the facts yourself.
Download the full dataset (CSV): Download now
Quick summary
Since taking office, the Trump administration has moved to roll back more than 100 rules and policies tied to air, water, land, and climate. Big targets include the Clean Power Plan, climate rules for new power plants, and how the federal government counts climate harm in reviews. There are also actions to expand fossil fuel leases on public lands and to challenge state climate policies.
Why it matters: Rules shape real air and water quality. When standards weaken, health risks can rise, and climate pollution can grow. Court cases and new rules can still change what is active. Use the status tags to see what is proposed, in effect, or in court.
How to use this tracker
- Scan the table below for the area you care about: air, water, climate, public lands, or enforcement.
- Check the Status tag (Active, Proposed, In litigation, Withdrawn/Rescinded).
- Open the linked sources to confirm the details and dates.
- Use the FAQ for simple definitions of key terms like the Clean Power Plan, Endangerment Finding, and NEPA.
What counts as an environmental rollback?
We include actions that weaken, delay, or try to remove protections on air, water, climate, species, or public lands. This covers executive orders, agency rules, guidance withdrawals, enforcement cuts, and legal strategies that narrow what must be regulated.
Which climate regulations were targeted?
Short answer: Power plant carbon limits, clean air rules tied to greenhouse gases, and climate reviews for federal projects were top targets. Several actions also sought to grow fossil fuel leasing and to shrink the role of states on climate policy.
| Area | Target / Action | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Climate (Power) | Review and possible repeal/replace of the Clean Power Plan for existing plants | Active/Policy Direction (review and replacement path identified) | Columbia Climate Law |
| Climate (Power) | Review standards for new coal-fired power plants (emission limits) | Active/Policy Direction | Columbia Climate Law |
| International | Withdrawal from the Paris Agreement | Completed (first term), subject to later re-entry by a future administration | White House Archives |
| Environmental Review | Withdraw climate and environmental justice guidance under NEPA (how agencies weigh climate impacts) | Reported change | Act On Climate Tracker |
| Clean Air Act | Recommended move to undermine the Endangerment Finding for climate pollutants (basis for regulating CO2, methane, etc.) | Reported recommendation | Act On Climate Tracker |
| Public Lands | Reinstate and expand fossil fuel leases; weaken some protections for lands and species | Reported actions | Act On Climate Tracker |
| Federal vs. State | Order DOJ to challenge state climate policies and seek to stop enforcement of state laws that "burden" energy | Executive Order Issued | Stateline | White House EO |
| Funding | Freeze and seek to claw back climate grants (EPA climate bank and related funds) | In dispute; legal risk noted by EPA counsel | POLITICO |
| Legal Theory | Argue that the Clean Air Act does not require greenhouse gas regulation (to limit climate rules) | Planned rule/legal position reported | POLITICO |
| Enforcement | EPA civil and criminal cases against polluters drop sharply | Trend reported | New York Times | Grist |
| Rhetoric & Signals | Calling climate change a "con job"; dismissing international climate efforts | Statement (context provided) | PBS NewsHour |
| Litigation Context | Ongoing court fights over executive actions and agency rules | Active/Varies by case | Just Security |
How did these moves affect air, water, and climate?
Short answer: Weakening standards and reviews can increase pollution and delay clean energy. For example, easing carbon limits for power plants can keep older, dirtier units running longer. Cutting climate reviews under NEPA can push projects forward without fully counting climate harm.
- Air: Rolling back Clean Air Act tools for carbon can slow cuts to CO2, methane, and other greenhouse gases.
- Water: Fewer or weaker reviews can affect rivers and wetlands if projects advance faster without strong checks.
- Climate: Leaving the Paris Agreement and shrinking federal rules can raise national emissions compared with a strong-policy path.
What do we know about enforcement trends?
Enforcement is about action, not just rules on paper. The New York Times and Grist report sharp drops in EPA civil and criminal cases against polluters under Trump. One data point: internal figures shared with reporters showed 66 criminal cases opened at a point in time, which was lower than prior norms. The practical result: when fewer cases are brought, some companies may feel less pressure to follow the law.
Academic work also reviews charging trends during the Trump era. See this analysis of EPA criminal prosecutions for more detail.
How are states affected?
The White House order on "Protecting American Energy from State Overreach" tells the Attorney General to challenge state climate laws seen as "burdening" energy. That could curb state efforts on clean fuels, utility carbon limits, or climate damages. See the original order and coverage from the White House and Stateline. State leaders argue this oversteps federal authority, so expect more court fights.
Key ideas, simply explained
Clean Power Plan (CPP)
A plan to cut carbon pollution from existing power plants. The administration moved to review and replace it. Source: Columbia Climate Law.
Endangerment Finding
EPA's finding that greenhouse gases threaten health and welfare. It is the legal base to regulate CO2 under the Clean Air Act. Reported efforts aimed to weaken it. Source: Act On Climate Tracker.
NEPA climate guidance
Instructions for agencies to consider climate and environmental justice in reviews. The guidance was withdrawn, making climate impacts easier to ignore. Source: Act On Climate Tracker.
Paris Agreement
A global deal to cut emissions. The U.S. left during Trump's first term. Source: White House Archives.
Legal status: Active, reversed, or in court?
Status can change as new rules are proposed and courts decide. Use these tags:
- Active: Policy or practice currently in effect.
- Proposed: Announced but not final; may change after public comment.
- In litigation: Being challenged in court; effect may be paused or limited.
- Withdrawn/Rescinded: Pulled back, replaced, or reversed by later action.
Example: The plan to argue the Clean Air Act does not require greenhouse gas rules is a reported proposal. Its legal force depends on a final rule and likely court review. Source: POLITICO.
Trends to watch
- Policy trend: Shift from regulating climate pollution to expanding fossil energy (see leasing actions and state preemption order).
- Enforcement trend: Fewer civil and criminal cases against polluters (see NYT, Grist).
- Legal trend: More litigation over agency duties to regulate greenhouse gases and how far federal power goes versus states (see Just Security tracker).
Methodology
This tracker collects actions from primary documents and credible coverage. Each entry links to a source. We group actions by area and tag status based on the latest available reporting.
- Primary sources: Executive Orders, agency pages, and archived materials (White House Archives).
- Legal analysis: Columbia Climate Law.
- Press coverage and trackers: POLITICO, Stateline, New York Times, Grist, and Act On Climate Tracker.
FAQ
What is the Clean Power Plan?
It is an EPA plan to limit CO2 from existing power plants. The Trump administration ordered a review and set a path to change it. Source: Columbia Climate Law.
What is the Endangerment Finding?
EPA's decision that greenhouse gases harm health and welfare. It underpins federal climate rules. Reported efforts sought to weaken it. Source: Act On Climate Tracker.
What is NEPA?
The National Environmental Policy Act. It requires federal projects to review environmental impacts. Climate and EJ guidance was withdrawn to narrow reviews. Source: Act On Climate Tracker.
Did Trump leave the Paris Agreement?
Yes, during the first term. A later administration re-entered, but policy can shift again. Source: White House Archives.
Are state climate policies safe?
They face new federal challenges under the "state overreach" order. Courts will decide which laws stand. Sources: White House, Stateline.
Where can I read the climate quotes in context?
See PBS NewsHour for the "con job" comment and fact checks.
Citizen action: Simple next steps
- Stay informed: Bookmark this page and the source trackers listed above.
- Use your voice: When proposals open for comment, submit your view. Watch coverage by POLITICO and Columbia Climate Law for timing.
- Local matters: Follow your state's energy and climate rules (they may be targeted under the "state overreach" order). See Stateline.
Download the full dataset (CSV)
For researchers and journalists, get the latest compiled list here: Download CSV and methods. Use the links to check primary documents and legal notes.
Selected ItemList (quick scan)
- Clean Power Plan review and replacement path — Columbia Climate Law
- New coal plant CO2 rule review — Columbia Climate Law
- Paris Agreement withdrawal — White House Archives
- NEPA climate guidance withdrawn — Act On Climate Tracker
- Attempt to weaken Endangerment Finding — Act On Climate Tracker
- Public lands fossil leasing expanded — Act On Climate Tracker
- Order to challenge state climate laws — White House EO
- EPA climate grants freeze/clawback push — POLITICO
- Plan to argue GHG rules not required by CAA — POLITICO
- EPA enforcement decline — New York Times, Grist
- Climate comments and rhetoric — PBS NewsHour
- Litigation tracker — Just Security
Context and claims in Trump's own words
"This 'climate change,' it's the greatest con job ever..." (coverage and fact checks via PBS).
The White House archive lists energy achievements and frames emissions trends favorably. Read the administration's own summary here: Energy & Environment. Always compare such claims with independent analysis and official data.
Bottom line
Policy direction is clear: cut climate rules, expand fossil fuels, and limit state power. Enforcement fell, and many changes rest on legal arguments that courts will test.
If you need one thing to do today, submit public comments when a rule opens. Your voice becomes part of the legal record. Trend insight: As federal climate rules pull back, more states and companies try to fill the gap, but they may face new federal pushback. Keep checking the status tags here for updates.
Phoenix tracks environmental policy developments and their real-world impacts. Former congressional staffer who now analyzes climate legislation and corporate environmental commitments.
