Navigating Trump administration executive orders impacting environment and energy initiatives.
By Janice Schneider, Jean-Philippe Brisson, Nikki Buffa, and Betty M. Huber
Date Issued: January 20, 2025
Agency Impacted: Interior, Agriculture, Energy, EPA, NOAA, Treasury, Justice
Summary: This presidential memorandum temporarily halts wind energy leasing across all areas of the OCS and initiates a review of permitting and leasing practices for both onshore and offshore wind projects. Existing rights under current leases are not affected, but the secretary of the Interior, in consultation with the attorney general, will review the leases to assess the need to terminate or amend them. The memorandum also directs federal agencies to not issue new or renewed approvals, rights-of-way, leases, or loans until the review is complete. The memorandum allows the attorney general to notify courts of the order and request delays or other appropriate relief in litigation related to onshore or offshore wind project leasing or permitting.
Timeline: Immediately
Latham & Watkins has a proven track record of guiding clients through transitions in US administrations, leveraging our deep expertise and understanding of the evolving regulatory landscape. In the first week of the Trump Administration, a total of 48 executive orders were issued, marking a significant and rapid commencement of policy changes with potential impacts across business sectors. This package provides a concise analysis by Latham lawyers of 15 key executive orders that are anticipated to have the most substantial business implications.
For a comprehensive list of all executive orders issued, please visit the official White House website.
Additional details about Latham’s capabilities as well as contact information for several Latham lawyers with former government experience or who serve as key contacts in relevant practice areas, can be found at the end of this package.
We welcome the opportunity to connect with you to understand your specific needs and explore how we can assist you in navigating these changes. Please reach out to Latham for more detailed analysis and to stay informed about additional insights as they become available.