Trump EPA Seeks Repeal of Climate Regulation Basis/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The Trump administration is moving to repeal the 2009 “endangerment finding” that allows federal climate regulation under the Clean Air Act. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin called it the most significant rollback in U.S. environmental history. Critics say repealing this legal foundation would gut protections against climate change and undermine public health.
EPA Climate Rollback + Quick Looks
- EPA proposes repeal of 2009 “endangerment finding” on greenhouse gases
- Endangerment finding enables climate regulation under the Clean Air Act
- Lee Zeldin calls it “largest deregulatory action” in U.S. history
- Tailpipe emissions limits also under rollback, affecting EV mandates
- 31 major environmental regulations targeted, including clean air and water rules
- Environmental experts warn rollback would endanger millions
- Trump executive order prompted legal review of the climate finding
- Move faces legal hurdles, especially from Supreme Court precedent (2007 ruling)
- NRDC and EDF call repeal “dangerous” and “inconsistent” with EPA’s mission
- Three former EPA heads condemned the administration’s approach
Deep Look: Trump EPA Seeks Repeal of Climate Regulation Foundation
WASHINGTON (AP) — In a sweeping and controversial move, the Trump administration on Tuesday formally proposed repealing the 2009 “endangerment finding,” the legal cornerstone that allows the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to regulate greenhouse gas emissions under the Clean Air Act.
What Is the Endangerment Finding?
The endangerment finding, issued during the Obama administration, determined that carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases threaten public health and welfare, enabling the EPA to take regulatory action to limit emissions from cars, power plants, and industrial facilities.
Now, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, a Trump appointee, is aiming to dismantle that foundation. On the Ruthless podcast, Zeldin said the move would mark “the largest deregulatory action in the history of America.”
“The endangerment finding is the Holy Grail of the climate change religion,” Zeldin remarked, vowing to usher in a “Golden Age of American success” by eliminating it.
Deregulation on a Massive Scale
The repeal is part of a broader Trump-led push to roll back 31 key environmental regulations, encompassing clean air, clean water, and climate change policies. The latest rule change comes on the heels of an executive order from President Trump, which instructed the EPA to reassess the legality and relevance of the 2009 finding.
One of the most high-profile targets of the rollback effort is a regulation requiring automakers to reduce tailpipe emissions and increase electric vehicle production. The transportation sector remains the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S., making the rollback especially consequential.
Warnings from Former EPA Leaders
Three former EPA administrators, including Christine Todd Whitman, who served under President George W. Bush, sharply criticized Zeldin’s efforts. Whitman called the move a betrayal of the agency’s fundamental mission:
“If there’s an endangerment finding to be made, it’s against this administration.”
Legal and Scientific Repercussions
The repeal effort is likely to face significant legal obstacles. The original endangerment finding was backed by scientific consensus and aligned with the Supreme Court’s 2007 ruling in Massachusetts v. EPA, which confirmed that greenhouse gases can be regulated under the Clean Air Act.
Climate law experts say overturning the finding would require the EPA to produce new evidence that contradicts decades of climate science—a nearly impossible legal and scientific task.
“It’s virtually impossible to think that the EPA could develop a contradictory finding that would stand up in court,” said David Doniger of the Natural Resources Defense Council.
Environmentalists and public health advocates see the proposal as a direct threat to American safety and the future of climate action. If finalized, it could invalidate federal greenhouse gas limits and bar future administrations from regulating emissions under existing law.
Fallout and Opposition
Groups like the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) say repealing the endangerment finding is not just reckless—it’s “callous and dangerous.”
“This finding is the legal foundation for vital climate protections,” said Peter Zalzal, associate vice president at EDF. “Attacking these safeguards is inconsistent with EPA’s core responsibilities.”
Even with support from conservatives and some business interests who claim the regulations are “economically damaging,” the repeal faces an uphill legal battle. Courts have historically upheld the EPA’s authority when backed by scientific evidence and public health concerns.
Broader Impact
Should the repeal succeed, the consequences could be vast:
- Elimination of Clean Car Standards, weakening EV mandates
- Deregulation of industrial emissions, leading to higher pollution levels
- Long-term legal uncertainty, as future climate rules would lack a legal base
- Public health risks, particularly among vulnerable communities
- International backlash, damaging U.S. credibility in climate agreements
The move represents the culmination of Trump’s broader anti-regulatory agenda, which he sees as key to economic growth, but which critics argue will bring environmental degradation and public harm.
As public comments open and legal challenges loom, this battle over the endangerment finding could become one of the defining fights over climate policy in the Trump era.
You must Register or Login to post a comment.