”Biden will use the clean energy economy to create jobs”

Mr. Biden has pledged to rejoin the Paris Agreement. What effect will this have on U.S.—EU climate relations over the next four years?

– By naming former Secretary of State John Kerry as his special envoy for climate, the Biden-Harris team have signaled the importance of climate in the Administration. President-elect Biden has pledged to rejoin the Paris climate accord on the first day of the new presidency. The team will be looking for significant ways to address climate on the international stage and seeking to build partnerships that were lost in the past Administration. Depending on the outcome of the Georgia Senate elections, the international focus may become even more important as a Republican-controlled Senate will severely limit Biden’s ability to achieve legislative victories at home.

Mr. Biden has said that his climate plan ensures that the U.S. achieves a 100% clean energy economy and reaches net-zero emissions no later than 2050. What sources of clean energy carry the most potential for reaching this goal?

– Indications are that President-elect Biden will use the clean energy economy as an accelerator to creating jobs and stimulating the working class in the United States. The appointment of former Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm sends several signals - 1) the important role that labor will play in the new energy economy, given her role as the governor of a state with a large labor workforce; and 2) further emphasis on new technologies for electrification and electric vehicles. Already, numerous states - led by California - have signaled intention to eliminate gasoline-powered cars to drastically reduce the impact of emissions. To achieve these ambitious goals, the U.S. will need to make significant investment in new technologies and infrastructure. If there is a divided Congress, look for some new topics to potentially surface, such as advanced nuclear, which Biden has included in his plan and has also generated a level of support among Republicans.

There is much talk about Mr. Biden’s intention to cancel some of President Trump’s executive orders on questions related to energy exploration and greenhouse gas emissions. How effective and durable are such executive orders likely to be in practice?

– Executive orders have become a powerful tool for recent presidencies. All indications are that President-elect Biden will end numerous orders enacted in the Trump Administration, but it is currently unclear how much Biden himself will use them to establish policy. Much of this will rest in the final make-up of the United States Senate. Given the ability to undo an executive order by any transition, Biden’s first goal will be to push legislation, where possible.

Matthew Gallagher was interviewed by Erik Torstensson, consultant at New Republic. ‘Three Quick Questions…’ is a series of interviews conducted by New Republic.