Op-Ed Analysis

During the 1970’s the public became increasingly more concerned with environmental policy and issues such as air pollution. In 1969, Congress passed the National Environmental Policy Act, which created the Council on Environmental Quality and required for environmental impact statements for most federal actions (Vig, 2010). President Richard Nixon signed NEPA into law in 1970 (Vig, 2010). Shortly thereafter, on April 22, 1970, the first Earth Day was recognized (Vig, 2010).

President Ronald Reagan took a different approach environmental policy. Reagan’s administration was not focused on reducing air pollution or strengthening environmental protection. In fact, Reagan went into office with an “anti-environment agenda” (Vig, 2010, p. 79). The Reagan administration was focused on smaller government, budget cuts, and industry (Vig, 2010). However, Reagan gave new strength to environmental organizations by creating political issues regarding the environment (Vig, 2010). In order to accomplish his anti-environment agenda, Reagan appointed hostile agency directors, cut staff and budgets of environmental councils, and changed regulations regarding agency policies (Vig, 2010). The public did not support President Reagan in his anti-environment policy (Vig).

Although President George H.W. Bush followed fellow Republican Ronald Reagan to the White House, he was a pro-environment president (Vig). Unlike Reagan, Bush listened to environmentalist and agency heads (Vig). Although some of his appointments were conservative and ideologically similar to of Reagan’s appointments (Vig). While in office, President Bush passed the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 (Vig). However, he failed to do much more in regards to environmental policy (Vig).

President Bill Clinton was unlike his predecessors. He was extremely pro-environment and had an environmental agenda when he took office. Shortly after taking office, Clinton established the Office of Environmental Policy (Vig). Clinton also successfully reversed the anti-environmental policies and regulations of the previous Republican presidents (Vig). However, Clinton and the Republican Congress were at odds over environmental policies and he was unable to achieve most of the agenda he had when he entered office (Vig). President Clinton was unable to address issues like climate change and carbon-emissions.

President George W. Bush entered office with an anti-regulatory agenda, which was not good for environmental policy. President Bush, like Clinton and Reagan before him, used his executive powers to achieve his agenda goals (Vig). Bush’s appointments to the EPA and Department of Interior did little for the missions of their agencies (Vig). Bush environmental agenda was set mostly in interest of business and anti-regulation of mining, oil, agriculture, and timber (Vig). The administration did little to draw attention to unfavorable environmental policies (Vig). Most policies were overshadowed by the wars on terriorisim and Iraq.

President Obama promised much progress in the way of environmental policies. This is similar to the Clinton campaign promises. Obama’s agenda was largely focused on the promotion of green technologies and the creation of green jobs (Vig). President Obama tried to be very clear and transparent in the environmental policies that he would pursue. When President Obama took office, the economy was the major focus of the American public. With high unemployment it was necessary for the President to combine environmental policy with economic stimulation. President Obama’s call for the development of high-speed trains created “green jobs” as well as sustainable transportation.

During his first year in office, President Obama called for a $10.5 billion budget for the EPA (Vig, 2010, p. 92). Although he was able to achieve this for the first year of his term, he was unable to achieve it again in his second term due to the ban on government spending imposed due to the deficit. Economic troubles plagued Obama’s administration and he was not able to implement as many environmental policy changes as he would have liked.

Obama was successful in increasing fuel economy standards and remained committed to his goal of breaking America’s dependence on oil, not just foreign oil. He strived to create jobs while promoting green technologies and the development of alternative, renewable recourses.