The Trump administration has made a significant move by revoking a scientific finding that has long served as the foundation for US efforts to regulate greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change.This action, finalized by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), rescinds the 2009 endangerment finding, which established that carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases pose a threat to public health and welfare.
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opb.orgusnews.comThe endangerment finding, originally enacted under the Obama administration, is crucial as it underpins nearly all climate regulations implemented under the Clean Air Act for various pollution sources, including motor vehicles and power plants.
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usnews.comwral.comWith this repeal, the Trump administration aims to eliminate all greenhouse gas emissions standards for cars and trucks and potentially dismantle further regulations affecting power plants and oil and gas operations.
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opb.orgyaleclimateconnections.orgPresident Trump has hailed this revocation as "the single largest deregulatory action in American history," while EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin characterized the endangerment finding as "the Holy Grail of federal regulatory overreach." Legal challenges are anticipated in response to this decision, which environmental experts claim could unleash broader consequences for climate regulation, potentially leading to an increase in greenhouse gas emissions and public health risks.
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usnews.comyaleclimateconnections.orgepa.govEnvironmental groups have condemned the move, labeling it the most significant assault on federal authority to address climate change in US history.
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usnews.comThey argue that the evidence supporting the endangerment finding has only strengthened over the years, highlighting the urgent need for regulations to combat increasingly severe climate threats, such as extreme weather events and natural disasters.
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yaleclimateconnections.orgwral.comIn a statement reflecting on this decision, Gina McCarthy, a former EPA administrator, criticized the Trump administration's actions as reckless.She noted that the EPA has a legal obligation to regulate greenhouse gases based on scientific evidence that has only become more compelling in recent years.
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opb.orgusnews.comThe Supreme Court has previously upheld the endangerment finding, ruling in a 2007 case that greenhouse gases are classified as air pollutants under the Clean Air Act.
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usnews.comyaleclimateconnections.orgSince then, courts have consistently rejected challenges to the finding, reinforcing its critical role in shaping climate policy.
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usnews.comyaleclimateconnections.orgHowever, the Trump administration's actions suggest a dramatic shift away from the legal and scientific consensus that has guided US environmental policy.In addition to revoking the endangerment finding, the EPA announced plans to delay the implementation of a Biden-era rule aimed at restricting greenhouse gas emissions from cars and light trucks, reflecting a broader strategy to roll back environmental protections established by previous administrations.
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opb.orgyaleclimateconnections.orgThis delay is expected to provide the agency time to develop a new plan that aligns with the current administration's priorities, particularly in light of slower electric vehicle sales.
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usnews.comepa.govThe implications of this decision extend beyond immediate regulatory changes.Experts warn that the repeal could hinder future administrations from enacting robust climate measures, effectively invalidating existing regulations on greenhouse gas emissions from various sources.
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opb.orgusnews.comDavid Doniger, a climate expert at the Natural Resources Defense Council, described the repeal as a potential "kill shot" for climate regulations, emphasizing the need for continued advocacy for environmental protections.
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usnews.comOverall, the Trump administration's revocation of the endangerment finding marks a pivotal moment in US climate policy, reflecting a prioritization of deregulation and economic concerns over environmental protection and public health.As legal challenges loom, the future of climate regulations and their effectiveness in mitigating climate change remains uncertain.
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yaleclimateconnections.orgwral.comThis decision underscores the ideological divide surrounding environmental policy in the US, with the Trump administration positioning itself against the scientific consensus on climate change, while advocates for climate action continue to stress the importance of regulatory frameworks in safeguarding public health and the environment.
