Uncertainty, condemnation and potential shakeups over the Trump administration’s possible involvement in illegal activities are keeping us completely distracted, but the show must go on in Washington and Congress is taking speedy action despite the absence of its lead performer. He’s still accomplishing plenty, even as he’s busy railing against mounting disapproval, an example of the success he’s creating can be found out in Wyoming, where Devon Energy Corp is breathing a sigh of relief.

This gas plant, the headquarters of which are in Oklahoma (EPA head Scott Pruitt’s home state) has been all ready to install a sophisticated system for detecting and reducing leaks of hazardous gases such as benzene and methane in order to comply with Obama’s power plant emissions regulations. But now those regulations will likely be overturned, and Devon will be fined far less for its yearly illegal emissions of 80 tons of these gases. The CEO is of course thrilled and so are those nearby who work there.

Fracking regulations are also being “reformed” thanks to Trump’s Congress, and those drilling processes will be streamlined as well. Except for some of the people who live nearby who may find their groundwater unusable, everyone wins. Well, maybe Mainers will be slightly less elated, since we are the tailpipe for the American Midwest. (We experienced two dangerously high ozone pollution days this past week.) Still, progress is progress.

Other energy corporations celebrate the trend. Devon is likely to be setting a new standard that they too will be able to follow—less pollution regulations will make America stronger.

Meanwhile, the 90-plus percent of Americans who aren’t directly associated with these industries may not breathe easier. Budget talks begin soon, and unless we send a different message to our representatives, especially the mysterious Bruce Poliquin, the EPA could be cut by at least 30 %. Wouldn’t that be an “accomplishment”--to get rid of those pesky regulations the way we attack black flies? Mr. Trump’s Congress has gotten his orders. Our president, though beleaguered, still manages to look out for us, sort of.

Beverly Roxby lives in Belfast