President-elect Donald Trump has recently announced plans to expedite permits for environmental approvals for companies investing $1 billion or more in the United States. This initiative is aimed at boosting energy projects such as gas pipelines, solar farms, and offshore wind turbines, as well as other large-scale enterprises. The proposal is expected to spark a mining boom in the US, positioning the country to compete with global players like China.

In a statement posted on Truth Social, Trump declared that any entity making a significant investment in the US would receive expedited approvals and permits, including environmental clearances. This move is seen as a major win for firms that have faced delays in getting energy projects off the ground. Even Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who has faced criticism for environmental violations, praised Trump’s decision, calling it “awesome” on social media.

However, Trump’s announcement has not been without controversy. Environmental groups in the US have criticized the proposal, arguing that it prioritizes wealthy corporations at the expense of environmental protection. Critics have raised concerns about the potential impact on the natural ecosystem and have accused Trump of favoring big businesses over smaller firms.

One Washington-based environmental group, Evergreen Action, emphasized the need for a fair permitting process that benefits all companies, not just the wealthy. Another activist, Lena Moffitt, went as far as suggesting that Trump should allow companies to dump waste near his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida to highlight the absurdity of the proposal.

Advocacy groups are gearing up to challenge Trump’s plan, labeling it as “obviously illegal” and warning that it could lead to increased pollution in the US. The debate over Trump’s push to fast-track permits for large investments is likely to intensify in the coming days as stakeholders on both sides of the issue continue to voice their opinions.