The Trump administration is set to undertake a major rollback of US climate policy by revoking the 2009 endangerment finding, a scientific declaration that has been the foundation for regulating greenhouse gas emissions.This move is expected to be formalized this week by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) during a White House ceremony, according to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt.
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pbs.orgwsls.comThe endangerment finding established that carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases pose a threat to public health and welfare, forming the legal basis for numerous climate regulations under the Clean Air Act.These regulations include standards for auto emissions and pollution controls for power plants, which are deemed essential for mitigating the impacts of climate change, such as severe weather events and rising temperatures.
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ctmirror.orgwsls.comIn her announcement, Leavitt described the upcoming revocation as "the largest deregulatory action in American history," claiming it could save the American public approximately $1.3 trillion in regulatory costs.
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wsls.comThe EPA also projects that the repeal could lead to significant savings for consumers purchasing new vehicles, with estimated reductions of over $2,400 per vehicle for light-duty cars, SUVs, and trucks.
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wsls.comHowever, this decision is bound to face fierce opposition.Environmental groups have labeled the rollback as the most significant assault on federal climate efforts in US history.
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ctmirror.orgLegal challenges are anticipated as organizations like Earthjustice vow to contest the administration's actions, arguing that the move neglects the government's obligation to protect citizens from the escalating dangers of climate change.
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wsls.comCritics, including Peter Zalzal from the Environmental Defense Fund, have expressed concern that the rollback will lead to increased climate pollution, higher health insurance costs, and an increase in premature deaths, asserting that the EPA is prioritizing industry costs over public health benefits.
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pbs.orgctmirror.orgThe proposed changes have also sparked discussions about the implications for environmental and public health standards across the nation.
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wsls.comFormer Republican congressman Lee Zeldin, now the head of the EPA, has defended the administration's stance, claiming that previous regulations were excessively burdensome and detrimental to the economy.He stated that Democrats had used the endangerment finding as a means to impose regulations that "regulate out of existence" segments of the economy, which he argues has financially harmed Americans.
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pbs.orgctmirror.orgThe legal framework supporting the endangerment finding has been upheld by the Supreme Court in the landmark 2007 case Massachusetts v.EPA, which ruled that greenhouse gases are air pollutants under the Clean Air Act.
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ctmirror.orgwsls.comSince then, courts have consistently rejected challenges to the finding, reinforcing its legitimacy.
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wsls.comThe National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine recently reaffirmed the scientific basis of the 2009 finding, indicating that the evidence of harm from greenhouse gases is now more compelling than ever.
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ctmirror.orgAs the Trump administration moves forward with its plans, the implications of these changes could resonate throughout the climate policy landscape.Environmental advocates are mobilizing for what they see as an essential fight to protect regulations that safeguard public health and the environment in the face of growing climate-related disasters.
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wsls.comThe forthcoming actions represent a pivotal moment in US climate policy, potentially reshaping how the country addresses climate change and its associated challenges.As legal battles loom, the outcome will likely influence the trajectory of environmental regulations for years to come.
