Ready to Protect the Climate: Donald Trump’s surprise presidential victory provoked a series of reactions from the climate community, from concern for the future of Obama’s climate legacy to strong assertions that the fight for the planet is far from over. “Above all, we’re ready to protect the significant climate progress of recent years,” tweeted Fred Krupp, the president of Environmental Defense Fund. Several energy experts reemphasized the difficulty Trump will face in reviving the declining coal industry, one of his key promises on the campaign trail. Others pointed out the strong market forces that will continue to benefit wind and solar, which also enjoys strong support across party lines. ( News: Reuters, Politico Pro $, Politico, Mashable, TIME, Recharge News, Huffington Post, Washington Post $, Reuters, AP, Charleston Gazette-Mail, Fortune, Wall Street Journal $, Buzzfeed, Fusion, Christian Science Monitor, Climate Central, ABC, CNBC, Christian Science Monitor, Atlantic, Quartz, Climate Home, InsideClimate News, The Hill, LA Times $, Financial Times $, NPR. Commentary: Greentech Media, Stephen Lacey analysis; Reuters, Laurie Goering analysis; Bloomberg, Chris Bryant column; New Scientist, Michael Le Page analysis; CNN, John Sutter column; Vox, David Roberts column; Bloomberg, Liam Denning column; Discover, Tom Yulsman column; New York Times, Andrew Revkin column $; Washington Post, Chris Mooney analysis $; New York Times, Robert N. Stavins op-ed $; Climate Home, Niklas Höhne analysis; Independent, Brendan Montague op-ed)
Speculations on Trump’s Cabinet: In an afternoon meeting, Trump and his transition team reportedly worked to quickly identify top candidates for key energy positions in his administration. Continental Resources CEO Harold Hamm, who yesterday advised Trumpto “just scrap” Obama’s energy industry regulations, is considered a leading contender for secretary of energy. Forrest Lucas, co-founder of oil products firm Lucas Oil, is favored as a top choice to lead the Department of the Interior. Although Trump has previously said he would abolish the EPA, reports say he will instead ask climate skeptic Myron Ebell to lead the agency. (Politico, Fuel Fix, Politico Pro $, Forbes, CNN, New York Magazine, USA Today, Greenwire $, Pacific Standard)
Keystone XL’s Likely Revival: TransCanada said it is formulating plans to persuade the incoming Trump administration to approve construction of the controversial Keystone XL pipeline, which President Obama rejected last November. Trump has in the past said he believed that the pipeline had no environmental impact. “I want it built, but I want a piece of the profits,” he said in May. (Washington Post $, The Hill, The Week, Financial Times $)
Reasons for Hope: As worries abound about the future of climate action under Trump’s administration, there’s still hope for lasting change. Numerous cities and states are poised to aggressively cut emissions in the US, while internationally, countries like China and India have their own incentives to counter carbon pollution. The Paris Agreement’s clever drafting also makes it very difficult for President Trump to withdraw; a new president will be able to quickly re-ratify the deal. And the profitable renewables revolution will continue as costs keep falling. (Nexus Media, Jeremy Deaton column; US News & World Report, Alejandro Crawford & Scott Short op-ed)
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