Evidence of Transformation in Missoula: Discussion with the Head of Community Development
In Missoula, Montana, the anticipated policies of President Trump's 2024 presidency could have significant impacts on local clean energy programs and fair housing initiatives.
### Clean Energy Programs
The Trump administration has signalled a shift away from supporting clean energy sources such as wind and solar, with executive orders targeting tax credits and subsidies for these renewable energy options. This includes the phasing out of incentives more rapidly than previously planned, with clean electricity production and investment tax credits set to expire by 2027 instead of 2032[1][3].
These policies are part of the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," which aims to remove market distortions and costs related to green energy subsidies, and stop preferential treatment of renewable sources compared to fossil fuels[1][3]. Experts predict that the phaseout of clean energy tax credits under Trump's policies will slow the addition of new renewable power to the grid, potentially hindering the expansion of clean energy projects in places like Missoula[2].
On a positive note, the administration has introduced streamlined permitting processes under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) reforms, which could benefit energy infrastructure projects run by electric cooperatives, potentially improving project approval timelines in rural areas, including Montana[4]. However, these reforms may favour fossil fuel interests overall.
### Fair Housing Programs
The effects of Trump's 2024 presidency on fair housing programs in Missoula are currently unclear due to a lack of specific information in the available data. Historically, Trump administrations have prioritized deregulation and shifting certain responsibilities to state or local governments, but no specifics on federal fair housing program changes are available[5].
### Summary
For Missoula, Montana, the Trump 2024 presidency is likely to result in reduced federal support for local clean energy development, particularly through the elimination of tax credits and subsidies for solar and wind projects, slowing renewable energy adoption. Regulatory reforms may speed project approvals in some cases but favour fossil fuel interests overall.
The impact on local fair housing programs in Missoula is unclear from current information due to the lack of relevant details in the search results. Montana James, Director of Community Development for the City of Missoula, stated that it will take a little longer to see a measurable effect, but projects may be put on hold due to lack of funding[6]. The changes that will occur due to funding cuts are uncertain, but they will certainly have an impact.
Missoula, Montana is bracing for a potential cut in all clean energy funding, which could impact various programs that the city had planned. Being alone without federal support can be detrimental for Missoula, as they depend on it to fund important projects. This loss of productivity at a high level will trickle down to affect Missoula. James stated that Missoula is more on its own without national support due to funding cuts[7].
References: [1] https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/president-donald-j-trump-signs-executive-order-promoting-american-infrastructure-jobs/ [2] https://www.reuters.com/business/us-renewable-energy-stocks-drop-trump-tax-credit-decision-2021-05-18/ [3] https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2021/05/18/trump-administration-is-poised-to-phase-out-clean-energy-tax-credits-decades-earlier-than-planned/ [4] https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/president-donald-j-trump-signs-executive-order-modernizing-permitting-process-national-environmental-policy-act-nepa/ [5] https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/fair_housing_equal_opp/programs/fair_housing_initiatives [6] https://missoulacurrent.com/missoula-city-council-addresses-looming-federal-funding-cuts/ [7] https://missoulacurrent.com/missoula-braces-for-potential-cut-in-all-clean-energy-funding/
- The anticipated policies of President Trump's 2024 presidency could lead to a reduction in federal support for local clean energy development in Missoula, potentially slowing down the adoption of renewable energy and impacting various city projects.
- The Trump administration's policies could result in the elimination of tax credits and subsidies for solar and wind projects, which could have far-reaching effects on environmental-science and clean-energy initiatives in Missoula, as federal funding is crucial for these programs.
- In the realm of politics, the lack of specific information regarding Trump's plans for fair housing programs could lead to uncertainties and potential delays in their implementation in Missoula, furthering the need for the city to seek alternatives for funding these vital programs.
- The climate-change and general-news landscape in Missoula could see a shift if these anticipated policies of the Trump presidency are enacted, as local initiatives in clean energy development and fair housing programs may be affected by the changes in government support and funding.
