We’re only two weeks away from the election.  What will happen in terms of the environment if Obama wins?  What happens if Romney wins? The difference is dramatic.

If Obama wins. . .  The results of an Obama victory are fairly predictable.  There are a number of new regulations that are now wending their way through the process.  If you’re interested, the Congressional Research Service summarizes the important pending regulations here.  Given the slow pace of the administrative process, it’s not likely that EPA will come up with any big surprises in the next couple of years.  (A few of these regulations may already be nearly ready to go, and EPA may issue them before January even if Romney wins.) Barring a huge Democratic surge in the 2014 elections, Congress obviously won’t be passing cap-and-trade or other major new environmental initiatives.  Thus, the theme of the second Obama Administration will probably be “steady as she goes.”

If Romney wins . . .  A Romney victory will immediately lead to major changes, at least if he sticks with his campaign promises.  Romney promises repeal of all greenhouse gas regulations. He has also promised to review all other Obama-era environmental regulations, ...

Link to original article / Continue Reading...

Legal Planet , a collaboration between UC Berkeley School of Law and UCLA School of Law, provides insight and analysis on energy and environmental law and policy. The blog draws upon the individual research strengths and vast expertise of the law schools’ legal scholars and think tanks.