EPA Proposes Rescinding Obama-Era Greenhouse Gas Regulation

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, led by Administrator Lee Zeldin under the Trump administration, has proposed rescinding the 2009 Endangerment Finding, which established that greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane pose a threat to public health. This finding has been the legal foundation for federal regulations on greenhouse gas emissions, including mandates for electric vehicles, which the administration argues have hurt industries such as trucking and restricted consumer vehicle choices. Governor Janet Mills of Maine criticized the proposal, warning it would reverse significant progress on climate protection and worsen environmental and public health challenges exacerbated by unchecked emissions. The EPA contends that repealing the rule will reduce regulatory burdens, promote economic growth, and provide more affordable vehicle options, a position supported by industry groups like the American Motor Truck Association. Climate advocates and some experts warn that removing the endangerment finding could dismantle federal climate regulations and hinder efforts to address global warming. The proposal marks a major shift in federal climate policy, signaling a rollback of Obama-era environmental protections.