Akin Gump attorneys highlight ten climate and sustainability developments to watch in 2022 as the Biden-Harris administration rolls out its “Year Two” environmental agenda for its “whole-of-government” response to climate change:
- SEC’s forthcoming disclosure rule will focus on accountability to investors on climate change risk and opportunity.
- EPA will play a lead role in implementing the United States’ commitment to reduce GHG emissions from energy production and consumption.
- The Interior Department will continue issuing unprecedented offshore wind lease sales while reforming the federal oil and gas leasing program.
- Federal agencies will continue to regulate and provide incentives to spur the proliferation of zero-emission vehicles and supporting infrastructure.
- Federal agencies will use updated estimates of the social costs of GHG emissions to justify more stringent regulation and action on climate change—and to potentially influence new areas of government decision-making.
- DOE and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission will seek to expand electric transmission infrastructure as a gateway to decarbonize the power sector.
- The use of market mechanisms to support emissions reductions will command greater attention by federal agencies.
- USDA will continue its focus on voluntary and incentive-based programs to advance climate-smart agriculture and protect critical carbon sinks.
- The Health and Human Services, and potentially the FCC, likely to consider new climate resiliency strategies to ensure the continuity and effectiveness of health care services.
- United States’ support for global agreement on ocean plastic pollution foreshadows a “whole of government” approach to reduce plastic pollution and waste at home.
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