The Trump administration is poised to revoke a critical scientific finding that has served as the foundation for US regulatory actions against greenhouse gas emissions.This decision, scheduled for announcement this week, will involve the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rescinding the 2009 endangerment finding, which identified carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases as threats to public health and welfare.
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pbs.orginquirer.comAccording to a White House official, President Trump will unveil what is being touted as "the most significant deregulatory actions in history" aimed at promoting American energy dominance and reducing costs for consumers.
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ctmirror.orgnews4jax.comWhite House press secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized that this action could potentially save Americans $1.3 trillion by alleviating regulatory burdens, particularly in the automotive sector, where the EPA anticipates average savings of over $2,400 per vehicle for light-duty cars, SUVs, and trucks.
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news4jax.comThe endangerment finding has been integral to enforcing climate regulations under the Clean Air Act, influencing standards for auto emissions, power plants, and various pollution sources that contribute to global warming.Its revocation is expected to undermine numerous regulations designed to mitigate climate-related risks such as extreme weather events and public health hazards.
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pbs.orgwhitehouse.govLegal challenges to the repeal are anticipated, with environmental advocates labeling the move the most significant assault on US climate policy in history.Abigail Dillen, president of Earthjustice, criticized the administration for neglecting its duty to protect citizens from climate impacts, stating, "There is no way to reconcile EPA's decision with the law, the science, and the reality of disasters that are hitting us harder every year".
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news4jax.comEPA spokesperson Brigit Hirsch has previously described the Obama-era rule as "one of the most damaging decisions in modern history," reinforcing the agency's commitment to delivering what it views as a beneficial change for the American public.
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pbs.orgCritics, however, argue that the administration's deregulatory approach will lead to increased pollution, higher health costs, and more premature deaths.Peter Zalzal, a lawyer with the Environmental Defense Fund, labeled the push for repeal as "cynical and deeply damaging," highlighting the overwhelming scientific consensus that supports the endangerment finding.
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inquirer.comnews4jax.comThe Supreme Court affirmed in its 2007 ruling in Massachusetts v.EPA that greenhouse gases are classified as air pollutants under the Clean Air Act.Subsequent legal challenges to the endangerment finding have consistently been rejected, including a recent decision by the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in 2023.
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pbs.orgnews4jax.comIn light of the impending repeal, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine reassessed the scientific basis of the endangerment finding and determined that the evidence for the harmful impacts of greenhouse gases is "beyond scientific dispute," with findings that have only grown stronger since 2009.
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whitehouse.govctmirror.orgAs the Trump administration moves forward with this significant regulatory shift, the implications for climate policy and public health remain a contentious issue, with environmental groups ready to mount legal challenges against the proposed changes.The outcome of this decision could redefine US environmental policy and influence global climate efforts in the years to come.The administration's actions are part of a broader agenda to dismantle what it views as burdensome regulations that restrict energy production and economic growth, a stance that has drawn sharp criticism from many quarters, including scientists, health advocates, and environmentalists.
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whitehouse.govnews4jax.comThe coming days will reveal how this pivotal change will unfold and the potential repercussions for America's climate strategy and environmental health.
