Trump’s Newest Executive Order Is a Federal Power Grab From States

Raleigh, N.C. – Today, the North Carolina League of Conservation Voters (NCLCV) issued the following statement from Michelle “Meech” Carter, clean energy campaigns director:

We stand firmly opposed to President Donald Trump’s executive order attempting to eliminate the ability of states to mitigate the effects of climate change under the guise of federal supremacy. This order represents a dangerous overreach of executive power. It is a direct threat to communities struggling with the burdens of pollution and insults the experiences of the survivors of Hurricane Helene here in North Carolina.  

The Tenth Amendment in the Constitution guarantees states the ability to reflect the needs and wishes of their residents. States have done so by passing bipartisan legislation, enacting regulations on dirty polluters, and promoting a healthy democracy through equitable community engagement. 

The aftermath of Hurricane Helene underscores the urgent need for robust climate policy in North Carolina. The unprecedented destruction in our western counties highlights North Carolina’s vulnerability to extreme weather events, which are becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change. 

What’s at stake is more than political disagreement – it’s the right of communities and states to govern themselves without fear of retaliation or suppression from a centralized authority. Policies that address climate change are backed by science, vital to our economy, and supported by the majority of North Carolinians and Americans. These policies improve our air and water, and keep our most vulnerable citizens from bearing the brunt of environmental harm. 

Now more than ever, we must reaffirm our commitment to the balance of powers that has preserved our democracy for centuries. A clean and healthy environment is a nonpartisan issue, and the federal government’s overreach will endanger citizens and cannot stand.