WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration is expected this week to revoke a scientific finding that has long formed the core basis for U.S. action to regulate greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will finalize the rule rescinding the endangerment finding established in 2009. This finding deemed that carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases pose an danger to public health and welfare.
A White House official, who wished to remain anonymous prior to the announcement, confirmed that plans to repeal the endangerment finding, initially reported by the Wall Street Journal.
According to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, “This week at the White House, President Trump will undertake the most significant deregulatory actions in history to unleash American energy dominance and decrease costs.”
The endangerment finding is considered the legal foundation for nearly all climate regulations under the Clean Air Act for various pollution sources, including vehicles and power plants. Its removal could undermine regulations intended to shield against increasingly severe climate change impacts such as catastrophic floods, extreme heat, and wildfires.
Legal challenges seem likely against any significant rollback of these regulations. Environmental advocates describe the potential repeal as one of the most damaging actions against federal climate initiatives in U.S. history.
Brigit Hirsch from the EPA indicated via email that the agency is finalizing a new rule concerning the finding, labeling the 2009 finding as one of the most harmful decisions in modern history.
President Trump has previously characterized climate change as a “hoax” and issued an executive order directing the EPA to reassess the legality of the endangerment finding. There are strong partisan divides, with many conservatives and Republican lawmakers denouncing regulations they consider excessively restrictive and damaging to the economy.
Former Republican Congressman Lee Zeldin, who heads the EPA, stated that Democratic administrations were willing to inflict economic harm in the name of climate regulation.
In stark contrast, Peter Zalzal of the Environmental Defense Fund warned that revoking the endangerment finding would likely lead to increased climate pollution and higher healthcare and fuel costs, resulting in thousands of unnecessary premature deaths.
Zalzal criticized the proposed rollback as neglecting the overwhelming scientific consensus on climate change. He and other critics have pointed out that a 2007 Supreme Court ruling established that greenhouse gases are pollutants under the Clean Air Act.
Michael Mann, a climate scientist, criticized the planned rescission, saying Republicans can no longer deny climate change but now aim to downplay its threats in light of significant scientific evidence.
For ongoing coverage of the EPA, visit the associated press coverage.
