Michael Regan, EPA Head, will Step Down on December 31 after a career characterized by audacious attempts to address climate change. Since being nominated by President Joe Biden, Regan has led efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions and pollution nationwide drastically. In an email sent to EPA staff on Friday, Regan reminisced on the agency’s achievements during his tenure. “We confronted climate change with the urgency science demands.” “We set the strongest standards in history and put billions of dollars to work to spur clean energy development, create good-paying American jobs, and lower family costs.”

A History of Climate Action

Regan’s leadership implemented some of the most ambitious environmental policies in American history. He granted a waiver earlier this week that will enable California to implement its ground-breaking clean car laws. These laws intend to outlaw the sale of cars that run only on petrol by 2035. This action aligns with the Biden administration’s larger initiative to switch to electric vehicles (EVs) in transportation.

The EPA Head will Step Down on December 31 and finalize regulations in March that will accelerate the nationwide deployment of EVs by reducing car emissions by 49% by 2032. Through 2055, these actions are expected to cut greenhouse gas emissions by an astounding 7.2 billion tonnes. Last month, the EPA finalized a methane charge targeting major oil and gas firms. The proposal further demonstrates the administration’s commitment to climate change mitigation by aiming to cut methane emissions, a powerful greenhouse gas, significantly.

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Change and Possible Reversals in Policy

Regan’s exit coincides with the possibility of a reversal of the Biden administration’s environmental policy under Donald Trump’s upcoming presidency. Trump has indicated his intention to undo many of Biden’s climate policies by announcing his intention to appoint former Congressman Lee Zeldin, a fervent opponent of green legislation, as the next director of the EPA. On his first day in office, Trump declared he would start removing Department of Transportation and EPA regulations to reduce car emissions. This includes the 2032 emissions reduction targets and EV tax incentives to encourage cleaner mobility.

Additionally, Trump intends to remove California’s ability to establish its pollution regulations, which was reinstated under Regan’s administration. This is similar to what Trump did in 2019 during his first term. In addition, he plans to undo rules that restrict carbon emissions from power plants, which could impede efforts to lessen dependency on fossil fuels.

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Uncertain Future and Acting Leadership

Jane Nishida, the agency’s principal deputy assistant administrator, will be the acting administrator until January 20. Dan Utech will temporarily fill the deputy administrator position. Concerns exist regarding the future course of U.S. environmental policy as the agency moves under new leadership.

Regan’s exit could be a turning point in EPA’s history because of the revolutionary measures he oversaw that addressed the climate catastrophe. However, it will be difficult to sustain and expand on these successes given the new administration’s radically different views on environmental regulation. The change highlights the continuous political struggles over climate action and the difficulties of putting long-term plans into action when regimes change.

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