EPA Moves to Revoke Greenhouse Gas Endangerment Finding

The Trump administration, led by EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, is moving to revoke the 2009 "endangerment finding," a pivotal rule that allows the EPA to regulate greenhouse gas emissions under the Clean Air Act, claiming that greenhouse gases do not pose a threat to public health. This rule has been the foundation for significant federal climate change regulations, including limits on emissions from vehicles and power plants, and its revocation would effectively eliminate the EPA's authority to regulate greenhouse gases. Supporters of the repeal, particularly from the fossil fuel industry, argue that the rule has unfairly targeted fossil fuels and advocate for a return to what they call "common sense" energy policies. However, environmentalists and climate scientists warn that this rollback ignores mounting evidence linking greenhouse gas emissions to increasingly severe natural disasters and public health risks. The decision represents the most significant deregulatory action in U.S. history regarding climate change and has sparked concerns about the long-term ability of the government to address climate pollution. The EPA is currently accepting public comments on the proposal until September 21, 2025, and legal challenges from environmental groups are expected.