Environmental Enforcement to Evolve, but Not Vanish Under Trump

Environmental enforcement is almost certain to dip under President-elect Donald Trump, but that doesn’t mean the EPA won’t keep looking for violations—just different ones, former agency officials say.

Traditional enforcement is expected to remain strong for certain types of violations, such as ones linked to lead pipes and contaminated sites. But the historic levels of enforcement under President Joe Biden is likely to tail off in areas that scrutinize the industrial sector.

The incoming Trump administration will also likely have its own priorities that shape how it enforces environmental laws.

For example, the agency could get tough on imported vehicles ...