EPA Administrator Zeldin Plans Overturn 2009 Greenhouse Gas Finding

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, under President Donald Trump's administration, announced plans to rescind the 2009 'endangerment finding' that classified greenhouse gases as harmful pollutants under the Clean Air Act, a key legal foundation for regulating emissions. Zeldin described this move as "driving a dagger into the heart of the climate change religion" and framed it as a necessary step to reduce regulatory burdens and economic costs on Americans, particularly targeting vehicle and appliance regulations. The endangerment finding, originally established during the Obama administration following a Supreme Court ruling, has been pivotal in enabling federal and state emissions standards to combat climate change. Environmental experts and advocacy groups criticize the rollback as dangerous and a breach of government responsibility, warning it contradicts scientific consensus and will likely trigger legal challenges. Zeldin emphasized that conservatives support environmental stewardship but oppose what he views as economically damaging climate policies. This action represents one of the most significant deregulatory efforts related to climate change under President Trump's leadership.