President Donald Trump is expected to sign an executive order that will allow the Environmental Protection Agency to roll back former President Barack Obama‘s policies aimed at protecting the environment and combating climate change.
The order, which includes ending a moratorium launched under Obama on new leases for coal mining on federal land, is billed as a measure to promote energy independence, create jobs and benefit auto manufacturers.
There has been mixed reaction in response to the administration’s planned action on climate change. The state of California unanimously voted to adopt stricter emissions standards for automobiles earlier this month. The vote, by the California Air Resources Board, had the support of a number of top politicians in the state, including Gov. Jerry Brown and several mayors.
Meanwhile, the order has been praised by energy interest groups that have been longing for fewer regulations within the industry.
Watch Trump sign the executive order above.