US President Donald Trump revoked a key 2009 scientific finding that deemed greenhouse gases a threat to public health. The rule formed the foundation of federal climate regulations covering vehicles, power plants, and industry.
The White House called the move the “largest deregulation in American history,” claiming it will reduce vehicle costs by $2,400 and ease burdens on automakers. Environmental groups warned it is the most significant climate rollback yet and plan to challenge it in court.
Trump criticizes past climate policy
Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump described the 2009 finding as “a disastrous policy that harmed the American auto industry and raised costs for consumers.” He called Democrats’ climate agenda a “radical scam” built on the regulation.
Former President Barack Obama said repealing the rule will make Americans less safe and less healthy. He argued the change primarily benefits the fossil fuel industry at the public’s expense.
How the endangerment finding influenced US law
The Environmental Protection Agency first evaluated greenhouse gases in 2009, declaring six major gases, including carbon dioxide and methane, a danger to human health. With Congress unable to pass climate legislation, the finding became central to federal regulatory efforts.
Meghan Greenfield, a former EPA attorney, explained the finding governs emissions from vehicles, power plants, oil and gas production, landfills, and aircraft. “All sector standards rely on this single determination,” she said.
Trump officials said the rollback could save more than $1 trillion and lower energy and transport costs. They claimed auto manufacturers will save $2,400 per vehicle. Diana Furchtgott-Roth, formerly with the Department of Transportation, said the regulations had pushed manufacturing overseas to dirtier locations.
Environmental groups disputed the claims. Peter Zalzal from the Environmental Defense Fund said Americans could face $1.4 trillion in extra fuel costs, 58,000 additional premature deaths, and 37 million more asthma attacks.
Implications for the auto industry
Automakers may face uncertainty because producing less fuel-efficient cars could limit international sales. Climate law expert Michael Gerrard said the rollback reinforces relaxed fuel economy standards but could hurt demand for American vehicles abroad.
Observers also noted unintended effects. The 2009 finding allowed federal authorities to block stricter state laws and climate-related nuisance lawsuits. Greenfield said the rule had prevented numerous cases and predicted states and nonprofits would file new legal challenges.
Scientific disputes
The Department of Energy formed a panel last year questioning the science on greenhouse gas warming. That report guided the proposal to reverse the 2009 finding. Many experts criticized the panel as biased and unrepresentative.
A federal judge ruled the department violated the law in forming the panel. Legal analysts said the administration may seek a Supreme Court review. If successful, the repeal could become permanent, preventing future presidents from reinstating the rule without new legislation.
Greenfield said, “The EPA is leaving this space entirely. A Supreme Court ruling would block any future president from reversing this decision.”
