U.S. Senators Mazie K. Hirono and Ron Wyden, along with U.S. Representatives Kathy Castor and Paul Tonko, have introduced a bill to rescind former President Donald Trump's initial executive orders on energy. The proposed legislation, named the Defending American Jobs and Affordable Energy Act, aims to reinforce America's leadership in clean energy, maintain low energy costs for families, and unlock funds from the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to protect jobs and support rural economies.
Senator Hirono criticized Trump's executive orders as being focused on promoting fossil fuels at the expense of the American public. She stated that "clean energy initiatives and investments are important to keeping energy costs low, protecting our economy and environment, and combatting the climate crisis." The senator emphasized that repealing these orders would further progress toward a clean energy future while safeguarding jobs and investments from previous legislation.
The act seeks to nullify several executive orders issued by Trump: the "Unleashing American Energy" order, the declaration of a National Energy Emergency, the order leading to the U.S.'s exit from the Paris Climate Agreement, and the pause on offshore wind leases in the Outer Continental Shelf.
As an active member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources (ENR), Senator Hirono has been advocating for environmental protection in Hawaii while supporting local agriculture and advancing renewable energy transitions both locally and nationally. Recently, she urged Secretary of Interior Douglas Burgum to reinstate probationary employees of Hawaii's Fish and Wildlife Service who were dismissed during Trump's administration. Additionally, she called for action from Secretary Burgum regarding staffing shortages at national parks following hiring freezes imposed by Trump.
In February, Senator Hirono addressed U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright in a letter urging him to adhere to his testimony concerning legal obligations towards maintaining equity within the Department of Energy's Office of Energy Justice.