Trump plans to repeal some of President Barack Obama’s environmental regulations while implementing policies that would encourage oil, coal and natural gas production.
He also appointed Myron Ebell, director of the Center for Energy and Environment at the Competitive Enterprise Institute and a climate change-skeptic, as head of his environmental transition team.
Dan Crawford, director of governmental relations for the North Carolina League of Conservation Voters, said he was worried about Ebell’s potential to be appointed as director of the Environmental Protection Agency.
“The thought of a climate (change) denier being involved with the EPA is greatly concerning, and it’s something the American people should be paying attention to,” he said.
Brian Powell, spokesperson for the North Carolina Conservation Network, said in an email he is also troubled by Trump’s potential appointees.
“These candidates, if confirmed, are likely to offer private corporations full access to regulate to their own advantage at the expense of the environment and the health of the American people,” Powell said.
Mitch Kokai, spokesperson for the John Locke Foundation, said Trump’s environmental policies are going to align more with what’s best for the economy.
“(Trump) seems to be more along the side of folks who are interested in limiting government overreach and allowing market forces to play a larger role in determining the best environmental policy,” he said.