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The first week of President Donald Trump’s new term in office has been packed with executive orders and decisions that could impact the waste and recycling industries.
The new administration has said it plans to prioritize federal actions that help the economy and domestic energy production while changing or eliminating federal policies it sees as blocking economic progress. During an eventful first week, Trump called for reviewing numerous federal actions, including those related to greenhouse gas emissions monitoring and climate change policies. Meanwhile, the Senate will soon vote on whether to confirm Trump’s nominee for EPA administrator, Lee Zeldin, and transportation secretary, Sean Duffy.
Here’s a look at relevant Trump administration orders and actions during his first week in office.
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Freeze funding from the Inflation Reduction Act and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act
- Certain funding disbursements from the two laws, which have provided millions of dollars for recycling and waste related initiatives, are on pause pending a 90-day review of spending recommendations, according to an executive order.
- A clarification from the Office of Management and Budget stated that agency heads may disburse certain funds after consulting with its office. Tax credits appear to be unaffected by the pause.
- In an email, an EPA spokesperson declined to comment directly on how the freeze could affect future funding rounds for programs such as Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling grants or other waste-related initiatives. “EPA is working diligently to implement the president’s executive orders. President Trump advanced conservation and environmental stewardship while promoting economic growth for families across the country in his first term and will continue to do so this term,” they said in the email.
Issue a 60-day freeze on new regulations
- All agencies and departments must refrain from proposing or issuing new rules not yet published in the Federal Register, according to an executive order.
- Agencies must also postpone for 60 days the effective date for rules that have been published but haven’t yet taken effect. Previous presidents have also done this as a way to review actions that weren’t completed by the previous administration.
Withdraw proposed effluent guidelines rule for certain PFAS
- A pending rule meant to set discharge limits on certain PFAS is no longer listed as being under review on the government’s regulatory calendar site.
- The rule was set to undergo review before being scheduled for public comment, according to the Environmental Working Group.
Review energy-related regulations and rules
- All agencies must conduct an “immediate review” of actions believed to “impose an undue burden” on the development and use of certain energy sources, according to an executive order.
- It specifically calls for identifying any regulations, policies, guidance documents or other materials that would negatively impact the development or use of oil, gas, coal, hydropower, biofuels, nuclear energy or critical minerals.
Withdrawal from the Paris Agreement
- Federal agencies, including the EPA, will need to submit a plan for how to “revoke or rescind policies” related to budgeting for or implementing aspects of the agreement.
- Trump withdrew from the international climate agreement during his first term in office, saying it hurts the economy, but the U.S. rejoined under the Biden administration in 2021. Parties to the agreement commit to cutting greenhouse gas emissions in an effort to limit global warming.
Disband a greenhouse gas research working group
- The Interagency Working Group on the Social Cost of Greenhouse Gases, created during the Obama administration, will cease operations.
- Work associated with the group, such as reports on greenhouse gas monitoring and measurement and documents on the social costs of greenhouse gas emissions including methane, were ordered to be taken off government websites.
Examine U.S. trade policy and potentially enact tariffs
- A memorandum issued on Trump’s first day in office directs federal agencies to investigate “the causes of our country’s large and persistent annual trade deficits in goods, as well as the economic and national security implications and risks resulting from such deficits.”
- The agencies must recommend appropriate measures on goods from countries such as China, Canada and Mexico. Trump has also discussed possible tariffs on certain imports from these countries.
Issue a federal hiring freeze
- Vacant federal civilian positions won’t be filled, and no new positions will be created.
- That freeze could be lifted once the Office of Management and Budget submits a plan to reduce the size of the federal workforce, according to an executive order.
- The order also ends remote work for federal employees.
