Trump Promises to Expedite Drilling Permits Once in Office

Donald Trump has made it known that on Day One of his second term, he will start the process of opening up domestic energy production to allow the United States to become energy independent again.

As part of that promise, Trump stated that he will start to expedite drilling permits when he takes office.

However, due to some moves being made by Biden, this could be harder than anticipated.

The Landmines

Donald Trump is hoping to get the industry excited about his presidency.

Trump noted on Truth Social that anyone willing to commit to a $1 billion investment in the energy sector in our country “will receive fully expedited approvals and permits, including, but in no way limited to, all Environmental approvals.”

There are plenty of projects on the books that would already qualify for this, including renewable energy projects.

However, it was that sector that balked at the proposal, saying it was a clear violation of the National Environmental Policy Act.

This law required that federal agencies do their due diligence to study any project that could have an environmental impact.

Lena Moffitt, executive director of Evergreen Action, an environmental group, stated, “Trump is unabashedly and literally offering to sell out America to the highest corporate bidder.”

Alexandra Adams, chief policy advocacy officer at the Natural Resources Defense Council, added, “What if someone wants to build a waste incinerator next to Mar-a-Lago or a coal mine next to Bedminster golf course?

“There’s a reason Congress requires the government to take a hard look at community impacts to make sure we don’t greenlight projects that do more harm than good. Cheerleading on social media doesn’t change that reality.”

I am all for energy reform, but Trump really needs to make sure whatever he is promising is doable, or it will come back to bite him.

Having a desire to reform the current permit structure is different from saying he is just going to outright override the policies now in place.

Trump gets one shot at this, and if he succeeds, the GOP likely takes the White House again in 2028.

If Trump fails, and he has considerable roadblocks to many of his promises, he hands the country back to the Democrats on a silver platter.

For our plan to work, realistically, we need at least eight uninterrupted years in the White House, preferably 12, and we also need Congress to be in lockstep with the White House for the majority of those years.

Stop making promises you cannot possibly keep, Mr. Trump, and focus on what you know you can do.