On Tuesday, President Donald Trump directed Lee Zeldin, the administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), to reinstate the regulations that were in effect during his previous administration concerning lightbulbs and water usage in showers, toilets, dishwashers, and other appliances. Through his social media platform, Truth Social, the Republican leader urged a return to "common sense" in environmental regulations and to restore orders that were overturned by "corrupt Joe Biden," his usual reference to the former Democratic president.
"I hereby instruct Secretary Lee Zeldin to immediately revert to my environmental orders, which were canceled by corrupt Joe Biden, regarding the standards and water flow for sinks, showers, toilets, washing machines, dishwashers, etc., and also to return to the common-sense standards on LIGHTBULBS, which were established by the Trump Administration but canceled by corrupt Joe. I look forward to signing these orders. THANK YOU!!!" Trump posted.
The standards Trump aims to reinstate would impact water-consuming appliances, a move he had previously hinted at before returning to the White House. On numerous occasions, he criticized Democratic efforts to restrict water usage and warned that if he regained power, he would repeal the regulations enacted under Biden's climate agenda.
Trump's announcement about restoring his energy efficiency and appliance use regulations follows his declaration a day earlier to end bans on plastic straws and his intent to eliminate the use of paper straws. According to his executive order, paper straws "are not functional, use chemicals that may pose risks to human health, are more expensive to produce, and often require users to use several."
Among the first executive actions signed by Trump upon retaking the presidency were the withdrawal of the United States from the Paris Agreement for the second time, the removal of restrictions on renewable energy and electric vehicles, and the termination of the so-called Green New Deal, redirecting federal funds allocated to sustainability projects.
Understanding Trump's Environmental Policy Changes
What regulations is Trump reinstating?
Trump is reinstating regulations related to energy efficiency and water usage in appliances such as lightbulbs, showers, toilets, dishwashers, and more, which were originally in place during his previous term.
Why does Trump oppose paper straws?
Trump argues that paper straws are ineffective, involve chemicals that might be hazardous to human health, are costlier to produce, and often require multiple straws to be used.
What international agreement did Trump withdraw from?
Trump withdrew the United States from the Paris Agreement for the second time as part of his early executive actions upon resuming the presidency.