In an exclusive interview with The Hill, Tom Carper, the departing Chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, declared his intention to "never retire" and continue advocating for climate-related issues. At the age of 77, Carper affirmed his commitment to ensuring a livable planet for future generations, even as he prepares to leave Congress after more than two decades of service.

Carper expressed serious concerns about the implications of a new Trump administration, particularly regarding anticipated rollbacks of climate regulations, highlighting the president-elect's plans to revise electric vehicle standards as "crazy." He noted that automotive emissions significantly contribute to climate change and warned that such actions could jeopardize progress made in the environmental sector.

Despite his apprehensions, Carper remains optimistic, suggesting that the economic realities might inhibit some of the desired deregulatory shifts. "Just as market forces helped save the Affordable Care Act and make it permanent, I think the same market forces will go a long way toward saving our efforts to address climate change," he posited, indicating that the job creation resulting from recent climate-friendly policies could work against full rollbacks.

Since his time in the Senate began in 2001, Carper has played a pivotal role in advancing key environmental legislation, including collaborating on the Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. His leadership was also instrumental in recent negotiations aimed at expediting the construction of energy projects, although reaching a bipartisan agreement proved elusive.

Furthermore, he expressed intention for upcoming negotiations related to toxic substances, specifically "forever chemicals," to "bear fruit" in future legislation. Despite being a moderate within his party, he occasionally diverged from party lines, exemplified by his opposition to raising the minimum wage in 2021; a stance he justified by saying, "I think as a party, we should be the party of work...and we should be encouraging people to get the kind of tools that they need in order to be able to get into the workforce."

Carper remains hopeful about finding roles at the nexus of climate change and job creation in his next chapter, stating, "I want to make sure they have jobs." As he reflects on his time in office, he highlights the importance of personal connections in pushing for climate action, sharing a relevant anecdote about his collaborative efforts with Senator John Kennedy (R-La.) on tackling hydrofluorocarbons.

Overall, while Carper may be leaving his Senate position, his dedication toward environmental advocacy and ensuring a sustainable future resonates as he embarks on this new journey. "I think there may be opportunities for me," he concluded, considering both private and nonprofit sectors.