The first Trump administration was a boon for fossil fuel industry executives, but a new analysis shows the industry is sure to benefit when Trump re-takes office in January, including from lobbying efforts directed toward the American public. It has been shown that efforts are already being made to do so.
Influence Map’s analysis found that “many of the tactics already deployed by industry are reminiscent of the first Trump era, and suggest a continuation of familiar fossil fuel tactics to shape climate change policy and politics. It is written that “it shows.”
Fossil fuel companies have already revived three key tactics from Trump’s first term ahead of the next president’s inauguration, according to our analysis.
As they press President Trump to reverse certain climate change policies, they shift from a defensive position to an offensive position, strongly insisting that reforms be allowed, and strategically positioning themselves to “protect” consumers. – Even as consumers continue to extract global warming fossil fuels, they put communities at risk of catastrophic climate disasters.
“How prepared are fossil fuel players to use their old tactics to roll back climate change policy and present themselves as the ‘good guys’ for the next president’s inauguration? It’s alarming to see that,” said Kendra Heaven, project director for the project. influence map.
The report finds that ahead of President Trump’s first term, fossil fuel companies such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the American Petroleum Institute (API) have made numerous efforts to challenge and undermine Obama-era climate regulations. Many have filed lawsuits detailing how they were already weaker than the experts. He said that it is necessary to include a clean power plan.
However, after President Trump took office in 2017, these groups shifted their focus to lobbying for a rollback, which the Carbon Brief says would reduce “4 billion tons of carbon dioxide equivalent by 2030.” “This amount is staggering, comparable to the annual emissions of the EU and Japan.” Combined. ”
Starting in January, fossil fuel industry groups are “likely to issue a range of statements and comments encouraging and supporting these moves,” InfluenceMap said. An example is the “5-point policy roadmap” API, which was released shortly after the November 12 election and asks for the next policy roadmap. The Trump administration will take industry-friendly measures, including repealing Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) emissions regulations and keeping the corporate tax rate at 21%.
API’s roadmap also calls for a focus on permitting reforms, including amendments to the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) and the Clean Water Act that would require federal agencies to consider environmental impacts before approving projects. I’m looking for.
InfluenceMap said: “Issues of permitting, infrastructure and the future of gas will continue to be the focus of corporate advocacy in 2025 and beyond.”
Fossil fuel companies have submitted numerous public comments regarding state-level efforts to phase out the use of fossil gas as an energy source, and WEC Energy Group has issued a statement in Illinois stating that “fossil gas has a ‘critical role’” “promote” several comments, warning that: “Forced electrification” will hinder the competitiveness of the state’s economy. ”
However, while fossil fuel organizations are likely to continue lobbying policymakers to support industry-friendly measures, InfluenceMap also notes that oil and gas interests are also expected to “protect fossil fuel companies’ ‘social license.’ “We are investing significant time and resources to reach out to the public for this purpose.” Or public opinion. ”
With a “cooperative government vowed to protect interests” set to take office next month, industry groups “may turn their attention to impacts on the public.”
The strategy for influencing the American public is evident in API’s policy roadmap, which uses the phrase “consumer choice” that InfluenceMap notes multiple times in its analysis.
“In 2024 alone, there were more than 100 cases in which companies publicly defended their vehicles around ‘consumer choice,'” the analysis said.
American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM) criticized Vice President Kamala Harris’ electric vehicle mandate as undermining “consumer choice,” and immediately after the election, Toyota called on the incoming Trump administration to issue a federal greenhouse gas mandate. It called for protecting “consumer choice” by overturning gas emissions standards.
InfluenceMap states that “recognizing industry narratives is a key element of any action to challenge industry influence on climate policy,” adding, “Especially as many fossil fuel stakeholders join the new administration. “Given that he is likely to publicly position himself as a supporter of climate action throughout the years and throughout the new administration.” . ”
“Industry groups will be on the front lines of some of America’s most negative claims heading into 2025, providing essential cover for individual companies, just as they were during President Trump’s first term,” Haven said. He said he was looking forward to it.
“The science is clear that this advocacy will cause long-term harm to our climate and communities,” Haven said. “Misleading statements from the industry must be challenged accordingly.”
