Trump Administration Moves to Repeal Obama-Era Greenhouse Gas Endangerment Finding
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Trump administration is preparing to reverse a pivotal 2009 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finding that identified greenhouse gases as a threat to public health and welfare, a move that EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin described as the “largest act of deregulation in the history of the United States.” This decision is expected to dismantle the regulatory foundation for many climate change policies enacted under former President Barack Obama.
The 2009 “endangerment finding” classified six greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide and methane, as pollutants that contribute to climate change, thereby justifying a range of federal regulations. These regulations included stricter fuel economy standards for vehicles and limits on emissions from power plants, which were central to the Obama administration’s efforts to curb carbon emissions and combat global warming.
Administrator Zeldin, in an interview with The Wall Street Journal, emphasized that the rollback would eliminate what he described as burdensome regulations that hinder economic growth and innovation. “This amounts to the largest act of deregulation in the history of the United States,” Zeldin said, underscoring the administration’s commitment to reducing federal oversight.
This policy reversal comes amid broader efforts by the Trump administration to roll back environmental regulations and withdraw from international climate commitments, including the United States’ exit from the Paris Agreement. The EPA’s website details the agency’s regulatory actions and the legal frameworks that have guided climate policy over the past decade.
Environmental advocates and Democratic lawmakers have sharply criticized the move, warning that it undermines critical efforts to address climate change and protect public health. They argue that repealing the endangerment finding could jeopardize programs that monitor and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including those supporting cap-and-trade systems.
For decades, the EPA has relied on scientific assessments to guide its regulatory decisions. The endangerment finding was grounded in extensive research, including reports from the EPA’s Climate Change Indicators and scientific consensus from organizations such as the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). These agencies have documented rising global temperatures, increased greenhouse gas concentrations, and the associated risks to ecosystems and human health.
Critics of the rollback warn that removing the legal basis for regulating greenhouse gases could lead to increased emissions from power plants, vehicles, and industrial sources, potentially exacerbating the impacts of climate change. Supporters argue that the deregulation will reduce compliance costs for businesses and promote energy independence.
The EPA’s forthcoming formal announcement and regulatory proposal will be closely scrutinized by Congress, environmental groups, and industry stakeholders. The agency’s official communications and regulatory filings, accessible through the Federal Register, will provide further details on the scope and timeline of the repeal.
As the debate intensifies, the Trump administration’s move marks a significant departure from the previous decade’s environmental policies, signaling a contentious chapter in the nation’s approach to climate change and environmental protection.
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